Crime & Safety

Toddler Still in Critical Condition After Pond Rescue: Police

Deputies pulled the toddler out of the freezing water on Monday afternoon.

A 2-year-old boy who wandered away from his family and fell into a retention pond remains in critical condition, Kendall County Sheriff's police said Tuesday.

Deputies responded to a report of a missing 2-year-old boy in the 200 block of Fernwood Road in unincorporated Montgomery at 12:14 p.m. Monday, police said.

Deputies and police from surrounding agencies conducted a search of the area and found the boy in a retention pond near his home, Sgt. Joe Jasnosz said in a press release Tuesday.

Deputies and officers were able to rescue the boy from the water. Oswego Fire personnel transported the child, who was in critical condition, to a local hospital.

On Tuesday, police said the 2-year-old remains in critical condition at Loyola University Medical Center.

According to Jasnosz, police believe the child walked away from his mother and siblings and fell into the water. At this time, foul play is not suspected, police said.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Richard Randall recognized the efforts of  Deputy Greg Shadle and Deputy Joseph Melchiori, who entered the frigid waters to recover the child. 

Randall said he was humbled by the deputies' courage, calling both men
"[protectors] of the people."


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