Authorities said deputies later found animal waste, roaches and mold inside the child’s home and removed a neglected dog.
DELTONA, FL — Volusia County deputies rescued a 4-year-old boy from a retention pond early Saturday after someone reported an unaccompanied child near the water, authorities said. The boy’s parents were later arrested on child neglect and animal cruelty charges.
Deputies responded Oct. 31 after receiving the report and quickly located the child in the water, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said deputies removed the boy from the pond and then worked to determine where he lived. The child was later placed in the care of a grandparent, while the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted for follow-up.
Nearby deputies heard the initial report through the Sheriff’s Office’s Live 911 system, according to local news reports citing the agency. Deputies reached the retention pond and found the boy in the water. Authorities have not said how long he had been outside without an adult or how long he had been in or near the pond before deputies arrived.
After identifying the boy’s residence, deputies entered the home and reported finding unsanitary conditions. The Sheriff’s Office said there were large amounts of animal waste, a roach infestation and mold inside the residence. Authorities have not released additional information about how long those conditions had existed.
Deltona Animal Control was called to the home and took custody of a dog that authorities described as caged and neglected. Officials did not immediately release additional information about the dog’s condition or where the animal was taken after it was removed from the residence.
The parents were identified in reports citing the Sheriff’s Office as Fermin Medrano-Perez, 25, and Jeneixa Rodriguez-Crespo, 24. Authorities said both were arrested on allegations of child neglect and animal cruelty. The charges are accusations, and neither parent has been convicted in connection with the case.
The investigation followed the child’s rescue from the retention pond and the subsequent inspection of the home. Officials have not publicly explained how the boy was able to leave the residence, whether anyone was supposed to be supervising him at the time or how far he traveled before he was spotted near the water.
The Sheriff’s Office has also not released further details about the child’s medical condition following the rescue. Video and accounts released by authorities indicated deputies were able to retrieve him from the water. No serious injury was announced in the initial reports.
The 4-year-old remained in a grandparent’s care after the incident, according to authorities. The Department of Children and Families was expected to follow up on the case, while the criminal allegations against the parents remained pending. No additional court information had been announced as of Sunday.
Author note: Last updated November 1, 2026.