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Watch: Heroic Indiana officer rescues toddler with autism from drowning

By Chris Williams
Published  October 2, 2024 12:26pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX TV Stations

Heroic officer rescues autistic child from drowning in backyard pool

The mother of a three-year-old nonverbal child with autism in Indiana praised the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) after an officer rescued her son from a swimming pool near their home.

The Brief 

    • An Indiana police officer rescued a three-year-old toddler with autism, Aziel, from drowning in a backyard swimming pool.
    • Parents noticed Aziel was missing during a brunch preparation and alerted the Fort Wayne Police Department.
    • Bodycam footage captured Officer Evan Myers responding swiftly after hearing the child's cries and pulling him from the water.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - An Indiana police officer is being called a hero after rescuing a toddler with autism who was drowning in a backyard swimming pool. 

Alex Calvillo and Savannah Ybarra told local reporters they were preparing for a brunch outing with family and friends when they noticed the three-year-old son, Aziel, was not in the house, but the garage door was open. 

They called the Fort Wayne Police Department and told officers that their son lies to wonder, and enjoys water and swimming. 

A screenshot of the officer's bodycam video showed the child stuck in the pool before being rescued. (Credit: Fort Wayne Police Department via Storyful)

"After I reminded them that he’s autistic and likes water … two minutes after that they ended up finding him," Calvillo said.

Officers released bodycam footage of the rescue. It showed Officer Evan Myers running to the backyard after hearing a child crying. 

RELATED: Multiple people shocked in ‘freak accident’ while enjoying swim in pool: police

He then found the toddler lying on his back in the garden pool before pulling him from the water. 

"I have no other words than to be extremely grateful for God guiding this amazing officer to my baby in time," Ybarra posted on Facebook. 

The Source

  • The video and details for this story were provided by Storyful, which obtained the elements from the Fort Wayne Police Department in Indiana. This story was reported from Los Angeles.