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4-year-old Florida boy found alone in pond; parents arrested, deputies say

By  and Juan Rodriguez
FOX Local
Crime and Public Safety
Published October 31, 2026 7:03 PM MST
Published October 31, 2026 7:03 PM MST
article

The Volusia Sheriff's  Office released bodycam footage of deputies responding to a report of an unaccompanied child wandering in a Deltona retention pond. (Photo: Volusia County Sheriff's Office)

The Brief

    • Deputies found a 4-year-old boy wandering in a retention pond after receiving reports about the child.
    • They safely retrieved the child and identified his home. When they entered, they found unsanitary conditions, including copious amounts of animal waste, a roach infestation, and mold.
    • Authorities said a grandparent took custody of the 4-year-old after deputies arrested the child’s parents.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida couple is facing child neglect and animal cruelty charges after deputies found their 4-year-old child in a retention pond and discovered deplorable conditions inside the family’s home, officials say.

What we know:

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said its deputies responded to the scene Saturday morning after receiving a report of an unaccompanied toddler walking near a retention pond in Deltona.

Deputies quickly located the boy in the water. They safely retrieved the child and identified his residence.

Officials say, upon entering the home, deputies discovered unsanitary conditions, including copious amounts of animal waste, a roach infestation, and mold.

Deltona Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of a dog that was found caged and neglected.

Deputies charged 25-year-old Fermin Medrano-Perez and 24-year-old Jeneixa Rodriguez-Crespo, with child neglect and animal cruelty. (Photo: Volusia County Corrections)

The child's parents, identified as 25-year-old Fermin Medrano-Perez and 24-year-old Jeneixa Rodriguez-Crespo, were arrested and charged with child neglect and animal cruelty.

According to officials, a grandparent took custody of the 4-year-old, and the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted for follow-up.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released additional details about how long the child was left unattended, how he ended up in the retention pond, or how long the family had been living in the reported conditions.

The Source: Information for this story came from the Volusia Sheriff's Office. This story was reported from Orlando.

Crime and Public SafetyFloridaNews