BELLEVILLE, IL (KPLR) -
Late last week, a 2-year-old from East St. Louis came very close to drowning in Belleville's Municipal Pool. A woman swimming nearby pulled him out of the water. And a well-trained lifeguard brought him back to life. Little Ritquaan Brown was greeted with a hug as he rather reluctantly revisited the scene where authorities say he nearly drowned.
It was 21-year-old lifeguard Emily Beintker who brought him back to life last Thursday. A former EMT named Heidi Johnson -- who was swimming nearby -- pulled him from the water.
"She was there the whole time with me. Guiding me through -- and, praying," lifeguard Emily Beintker said.
Ritquaan was there with a party from the Pooh Bear Day Care Center in East St. Louis.
His mother, Ellen Johnson -- no relation to Heidi -- was at work. Hearing the dreadful news, she rushed to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis where the boy was kept overnight for observation.
"He was unconscious at first and then he started breathing on his own," Beintker said.
The boy's mother said he pretty much came back to life.
"it was just god watching us," Ellen Johnson said. "And when you ask him about it... He doesn't like it. He says, 'leave me alone.'"
Ellen Johnson says her son is no candidate for the Olympic swimming team -- but, he likes football better, anyway.
Authorities say it was a day when he actually died.
Shantel Miller, who runs the day care center, says they may hold off on swimming excursions for awhile. And, she'll demand that children have flotation gear on in the future.
It was 21-year-old lifeguard Emily Beintker who brought him back to life last Thursday. A former EMT named Heidi Johnson -- who was swimming nearby -- pulled him from the water.
"She was there the whole time with me. Guiding me through -- and, praying," lifeguard Emily Beintker said.
Ritquaan was there with a party from the Pooh Bear Day Care Center in East St. Louis.
His mother, Ellen Johnson -- no relation to Heidi -- was at work. Hearing the dreadful news, she rushed to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis where the boy was kept overnight for observation.
"He was unconscious at first and then he started breathing on his own," Beintker said.
The boy's mother said he pretty much came back to life.
"it was just god watching us," Ellen Johnson said. "And when you ask him about it... He doesn't like it. He says, 'leave me alone.'"
Ellen Johnson says her son is no candidate for the Olympic swimming team -- but, he likes football better, anyway.
Authorities say it was a day when he actually died.
Shantel Miller, who runs the day care center, says they may hold off on swimming excursions for awhile. And, she'll demand that children have flotation gear on in the future.
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