Deputy Who Saved Drowning Child Honored By Sheriff’s Office

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office employee was honored as Deputy of the Month in March for saving a drowning toddler who was vacationing with their family and assisting with the family’s other children during the crisis.

In February, Deputy Daniel Parham responded to a possible drowning involving a 2-year-old. When he arrived, he immediately started life-saving efforts on the child, which he continued until EMS arrived and took over, according to a MCSO news release.

The child was flown to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg in critical condition. The parents left their vacation rental immediately, leaving their other five children with a nanny.

The parents left in such a hurry that they forgot to give the nanny money to provide dinner for the children. So, Parham bought pizza and drinks for the family at a local pizza shop.

“He not only provided them with dinner; he took the time to speak with the children who were understandably distraught and worried a about their sibling,” the sheriff’s office said. “The child was given a positive prognosis and (the) parents were very grateful for Deputy Parham's kindness.”