Swim instructor charged with neglect over boy’s near death

MAITLAND, Fla. – A Florida swim instructor has been charged with child neglect over the near death of a 3-year-old boy who slipped underwater for more than two minutes while under her supervision.

News outlets report Park Maitland School worker 34-year-old Jessica Kretz was arrested this week. She is the only instructor charged in the 2018 incident, though three others were present. Maitland police say she was supervising the boy and knew he couldn’t swim.

Police released surveillance video Thursday that shows the boy losing his grip on a floating device and sinking beneath the water as the teachers work nearby with other children. Kretz later notices the boy and pulls him from the water.

The boy’s family is suing the school for negligence. The school says it no longer employs the teachers. It’s unclear whether Kretz has a lawyer.