Colorado Senate Candidate Arrested After Drowning Incident
A man from the Denver area, who is running for a seat in the Colorado Senate, found himself in handcuffs in the Florida Keys this week. This came after his four-year-old daughter nearly drowned in a hotel pool.
Emergency services were alerted around 7:34 p.m. on Monday following a 911 call about a child drowning at a hotel pool.
Witnesses reported that the boy, identified as Frederick Alfred Jr.’s six-year-old son, came to inform his father that his sister was in trouble. They described seeing her unconscious and foaming at the mouth, prompting them to pull her from the pool and begin CPR. A police report supported these claims.
Fortunately, first responders managed to revive the girl. The boy, who attempted to save his sister and swallowed some pool water, appeared to be okay overall.
At about 7:40 p.m., Alfred showed up at the scene with an alcoholic drink in hand. According to police, he indicated that he had briefly left the children in the hot tub while he went to the bar for about five minutes.
Authorities noted that he smelled of alcohol, and a bar receipt revealed he had purchased two alcoholic drinks during that time away from the children.
Despite the children looking fine initially, paramedics recommended they go to the hospital just to be safe. Alfred hesitated but ultimately agreed, and they were transported to a local hospital.
By 8 p.m. that night, Alfred was arrested and taken to the Monroe County Jail. He faces a felony charge of child abandonment, and his arraignment is set for May 5.
Reportedly, the Department of Children and Families has been alerted, but it remains unclear if the children’s mother was part of this trip.
Alfred, 38, who is originally from Florida but currently resides in Commerce City, Colorado, is campaigning unopposed for the Republican nomination for the 21st District State Senate seat. The primary election is scheduled for June 30.
His campaign website prominently features “parental rights” as a legislative priority. Alfred advocates for family involvement in child-rearing, stating that families should guide their children rather than the government. He also positions himself as a defender against what he views as government-first policies that undermine family.
While he has not commented on this recent incident when approached by various news outlets, the situation certainly raises questions about his campaign and what it means for his political aspirations.
