Girl, 3, Wanders Into Pool During Easter Egg Hunt, Nearly Drowns

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An Easter egg hunt nearly turned deadly for a three-year-old girl.

Late Saturday afternoon, the girl wandered into the backyard at 3640 SW 18th Terrace. That's when she fell into the pool. Firefighters said she may have been in the water for as long as 10 minutes before family members pulled her out.

"The parents had pulled the baby out of the pool and our alarm office was giving CPR instructions to somebody on the scene and they were following CPR instructions," said Miami Fire Rescue EMS Battalion Captain Raul Fernandez.

The girl had no pulse, according to paramedics at the scene. However, when the toddler arrived at Miami Children's Hospital, she regained her pulse.

Paramedics credit the pool's cold water, which they say may have helped slow down her body functions.

"The cold water actually sometimes has an effect where it can slow down the metabolism. That's a good thing because the brain needs less oxygen and the amount of time she was without oxygen and without circulation to the brain can do less damage," said Captain Fernandez.

The sight of police cars and paramedics left neighbors shocked.

"Just like my little girl, my gosh, it's scary," said Jackie Lirio who has a 2 year old daughter and a backyard pool .

She says she'll be thinking of the family and the child who was in critical condition Saturday night.

"We'll be praying that she's going to get better hopefully very soon," said Lirio.