Several Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies and two children were honored at Cerritos City Hall on Thursday for helping save a toddler who nearly drowned in a lake.
The close call occurred around 8 p.m. on March 29 at Don Knabe Community Park. Deputies said a man was pushing one child in a stroller when his 2 1/2-year-old son rode ahead of them on his bike and out of his sight.
Preston Hoang, 11, and a friend were fishing in the lake when they first noticed the toddler had crashed into the water.
“I was just fishing, and I saw a bike, and I looked forward and saw a floating kid,” Preston told KTLA’s Chip Yost at Thursday’s city hall event.
Preston and his friend called 911, and deputies arrived at the park minutes later. Body-worn camera footage shows deputies pulling the toddler from the water and beginning CPR.
“Approximately three minutes later, the child began to breathe, and by the grace of God, we felt a pulse,” Deputy Erick Mutum said.
Authorities said the child made a full recovery.
