Westfield Girl Who Almost Drowned Now Breathing on Her Own Again, Parents Report

Westfield, NJ - The six-year-old girl who almost drowned last Saturday in Westfield is now breathing on her own again, her parents reported on a GoFundMe page set up for the girl.

"We would like to share with everyone who has been praying and sending their love to Linda throughout these extremely trying times that she no longer needs breathing assistance," wrote her parents, Claudio and Yanella Fazio on Saturday, July 2. "Today the medical staff here at CHOP was able to remove Linda from the respiratory support that she was receiving and she is now able to breathe entirely on her own. She remains in some discomfort but is making great strides towards getting back to her high spirited joyful self."

The girl was found unresponsive in the water at 4:24 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 at the Westfield Memorial Pool. She was removed from the pool, Westfield Police Chief David Wayman said at the time, and resuscitation attempts were initiated. She was revived with a heart beat. She was transported to Overlook Hospital and was then taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

She had just graduated from first grade at Tamaques Elementary School.

"She has gradually been able to communicate more and more to us as the time passes through quiet whispers as her throat and lungs slowly continue to get better. Our hearts are healing as well as we have our daughter back again," her parents wrote. "We would like to thank God for this miracle that is now embedded into our hearts and souls forever and to thank everybody for all of your continued support, love and prayers as Linda continues her journey to a full recovery."