4-Year-Old Boy Found Alone in Florida Pond After Father Allegedly Fell Asleep — Deputies Discover Filthy, Bug-Infested Home

A frightening discovery in a Florida neighborhood has led to the arrest of two parents after a 4-year-old boy was found wandering alone in a pond, wearing nothing but a diaper. What began as a neighbor’s emergency call quickly turned into a child neglect investigation when deputies visited the family’s home and allegedly uncovered severe unsanitary conditions, including cockroaches, mold and animal waste throughout the property.

The incident happened on the morning of October 31, 2026, in Deltona, Florida. Around 8 a.m., neighbors contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office after spotting a young child walking and splashing in a nearby retention pond without an adult nearby. Deputies rushed to the location and found the boy in the water. Fortunately, they were able to retrieve him safely before the situation became more dangerous. Body camera footage reportedly showed the child standing in the pond wearing only a diaper.

After identifying where the boy lived, deputies went to the nearby residence. According to an arrest affidavit, the front door was slightly ajar. Inside, investigators allegedly discovered a home in extremely poor condition. Cockroaches were reportedly infesting the property, while large amounts of dog urine and feces covered areas of the home. Deputies also reported finding mold and a neglected dog kept inside a cage. The conditions prompted authorities to investigate not only the child’s safety but also the treatment of the family pet.

The child’s father, 25-year-old Fermin Medrano-Perez, reportedly told deputies that he had been responsible for watching his son that morning. He said the boy was playing on the floor around 7:15 a.m. when he fell asleep in a recliner. Medrano-Perez believed his wife had left the front door unlocked when she departed for work at approximately 6 a.m., allowing the child to open it and wander outside. He reportedly told investigators he had no other explanation for how the boy got out of the house.

The boy’s mother, 24-year-old Jeneixa Rodriguez-Crespo, was at work when deputies arrived and later returned to the residence. Both parents reportedly acknowledged that they had known about the cockroach problem since purchasing the home about a year earlier. They claimed they had contacted an exterminator but said they cleaned up after their dog only once a week. The father also cited the family’s financial difficulties and demanding work schedules when explaining why the household conditions had not been addressed. Authorities, however, described what they found as unacceptable and raised concerns about the child’s living environment.

Both parents were arrested and charged with child neglect and animal cruelty. The 4-year-old was placed in the care of a grandparent, while Florida’s Department of Children and Families was notified to conduct a separate investigation. The parents reportedly posted bond, although some early reports gave differing information about their custody status. Authorities have not publicly established exactly how long the boy was outside or how far he traveled before reaching the pond. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against both parents have not yet been proven in court.

Sources:

• Law&Crime