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FHP Major And County Officer Pull Toddler From Water

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) – An off-duty Florida Highway Patrol Major and Miami-Dade Police officer helped to pull a toddler from the water of a canal in a Southwest Miami-Dade neighborhood Monday afternoon.

A neighbor of Major Sammie Thomas knocked on his door seeking help for a missing 2-year-old child who had not been seen for about 20 minutes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to Miami-Dade police, family members called police to report a missing child near SW 242nd Street and SW 109th Avenue.

A security guard spotted what appeared to be tennis shoes in the canal, according to FHP.

"When officers arrived they were immediately told by a family member that they had discovered the child inside the canal the officer immediately jumped in the water" explained Detective Elena Hernandez with Miami-Dade Police.

Major Thomas also ran into the water to help the Miami-Dade Officer pull the child out and both the officer and trooper performed CPR on the child.

"I was driving by in the car.  I seen the mother making a lot of commotion, so that's what caught my attention," said neighbor Shaun Brown. "She was crying, screaming," she added.

"All the police officers were putting CPR on the baby, that's it that's all I saw. Then I saw them take the baby out of the grass and put him in the ambulance," said Ulyesse Grace Jr.

The child was taken to Miami Children's Hospital by helicopter.

Police say it's not clear how the child got into the canal or how long he was in the water.

The child's status is listed as critical, but stable, according to officials.

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