A toddler is expected to survive after an apparent near drowning in Miami Gardens Saturday evening when the child wandered from a vehicle and was later found in Snake Creek Canal. Miami Gardens police received the call just before 7 p.m. as a report of a missing child in the 200 block of Northwest 199th Street.
When officers arrived, they discovered the child had been left in a car with an adult who was watching him. At some point, the toddler got out of the vehicle and walked behind a nearby business before being found by his mother in the Snake Creek Canal. First responders immediately began life-saving measures at the scene.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the child to Jackson Memorial Hospital North, where he was listed in stable condition. Officials are calling the incident an accidental near drowning, with no indication of criminal activity at this time.
“We want to remind parents and caregivers, especially those with young children or children with special needs, that constant supervision is critical,” Miami Gardens police spokesperson Diana Delgado said. “Children can move quickly, and situations can change in seconds. Please take extra precaution for the safety of the children.”
The incident highlights ongoing water safety concerns in South Florida, where numerous canals and waterways pose risks to unsupervised children. Snake Creek Canal runs through several Miami-Dade communities and connects to larger waterway systems in the region.
Miami Gardens police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding how the toddler was able to leave the vehicle unnoticed and reach the canal. The department has not released additional details about the adult who was supervising the child or whether any charges will be filed in connection with the incident.