2-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Near-Drowning at Jefferson County Apartment Complex

A two-year-old child is in critical condition following a near-drowning incident Monday evening in south Jefferson County. Emergency personnel were dispatched to an apartment complex located in the 3700 block of Chestnut Ridge Lane at approximately 6:00 p.m. after reports surfaced of a toddler submerged in the water. The quick arrival of first responders was vital in beginning life-saving measures on the scene.

Rocky Ridge Fire District Chief Jon Lord confirmed that fire medics arrived at the complex and immediately took over emergency care for the young child. Following stabilization efforts at the scene, the toddler was rushed to Children’s of Alabama for specialized pediatric treatment. As of Monday night, the child’s condition remained critical, and the specific circumstances surrounding how the toddler entered the water remain under investigation.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder for families across the Birmingham metro area regarding the vital importance of pool safety and constant supervision. As summer temperatures persist, local safety experts urge residents at multi-family complexes to ensure pool gates are functioning properly and that children are never left unattended near water, even for a moment. The Rocky Ridge community and local authorities are keeping the family in their thoughts as the child receives care at one of the state's leading medical facilities.