Florida Parents Arrested After Child Found in Pond and Caged Dog Rescued

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A Deltona couple faces child neglect and animal cruelty charges after law enforcement rescued their four-year-old child from a retention pond and discovered a neglected dog inside an unsanitary home. Juan Rodriguez reported on the investigation for FOX 35 Orlando on October 31, 2026.

Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on Saturday morning, October 31, 2026, to reports of an unsupervised toddler near a retention pond in Deltona, Volusia County, Florida 32725, United States.

Deputies located the child in the water, pulled him to safety, and established his residence nearby.

Upon inspecting the home, law enforcement documented hazardous living conditions, including excessive animal waste, mold, and a roach infestation.

Deltona Animal Control officers responded to the scene and impounded a dog that was found caged and severely neglected inside the residence.

Authorities arrested the parents, identified as 25-year-old Fermin Medrano-Perez and 24-year-old Jeneixa Rodriguez-Crespo, charging both with child neglect and animal cruelty.

A grandparent assumed temporary custody of the child, while the Florida Department of Children and Families initiated a formal welfare investigation.

My thoughts:

• Unsecured retention ponds pose immediate drown hazards for unsupervised young children in residential neighborhoods.
• Unsanitary household environments containing excessive waste create severe health risks for both children and domestic pets.
• Immediate intervention by animal control prevents ongoing suffering for caged, neglected animals.
• Multi-agency coordination between sheriff’s deputies and child welfare services ensures rapid protective custody placement.
• Holding parents legally accountable for severe domestic neglect helps enforce basic animal and child care standards.
• Community awareness and prompt reporting of wandering children can prevent fatal drowning accidents.