Community Corner

9-year-old Saves 4-year-old from Drowning in Manassas Pool

Police said the mother of the 4-year-old left her five children unattended in the pool.

A 9-year-old girl pulled an unresponsive 4-year-old girl from the bottom of a Manassas pool and assisted lifeguards in saving the little girl's life, Prince William County Police said.

It happened on June 26 at the Westgate community pool on Ashland Avenue in Manassas.

Police said Giovanna Emperatr Naravez, 23, left her five children, including the 4-year-old girl, unattended in the pool while she went to the front desk to sign in a guest. 

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Her children range in age from 1 to 8 years old, according to police reports.

While the mother was away, a 9-year-old girl noticed the 4-year-old at the bottom of the pool, swam down and pulled her to safety.

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The victim wasn't breathing and was unresponsive but was revived after lifeguards administered CPR.

The victim was flown to an area hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Police charged Naravez with three counts of child neglect in connection with her three youngest children being left unattended.  Police said they are the ones who needed the most supervision.

The two oldest children are a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.

She was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.


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