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New Canaan Lifeguard Arrested In Near-Drowning At Chelsea Piers

STAMFORD, Conn. — A 23-year-old lifeguard from New Canaan has been arrested in connection with the near-drowning of a 5-year-old boy at Chelsea Piers in Stamford last month, police said.

Zachary Stein

Zachary Stein

Photo Credit: Stamford Police Department
Chelsea Piers is on Blachley Road in Stamford.

Chelsea Piers is on Blachley Road in Stamford.

Photo Credit: File

Zachary Stein turned himself in to police Wednesday and was charged with first-degree risk of injury to a child and reckless endangerment, police said. 

Related story: New Canaan Boy Who Nearly Drowned At Chelsea Piers Released From Hospital

The incident occurred Aug. 3 when a 5-year-old boy from New Canaan was attending a soccer day camp at Chelsea Piers, police said. 

The boy's group was taking a break in the sports facility's Splash Zone, when he became submerged underwater for about 4 minutes, Stamford police said.   

Stein was one of three lifeguards on duty and was assigned to the pool where the incident occurred, police said. 

The boy was unconscious and not breathing when he was pulled from the pool by Stein, who along with others administered CPR, the Stamford Fire Department said.

Police obtained video surveillance of the incident. 

The boy was taken first to Stamford Hospital, then airlifted to Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, police said. He was initially unconscious but made a rapid recovery in the weekend after the incident, police said. 

Stamford police called it a "miracle" when the 5-year-old was released from the hospital.

Stamford Police conducted the investigation, including an attempt to interview Stein. Stein immediately sought out the services of an attorney who later brought him in with a prepared statement on Aug. 21.

The Stamford Police Department worked with the State’s Attorney’s office, and a warrant was issued for Stein's arrest. 

Stein was charged and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 19 in Stamford.

The 5-year-old victim is home and shows signs of an excellent recovery, police said. It is not know yet whether he will suffer be any long-term damage from the near drowning, police said.

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