Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Ricardo R. Rodrigues (Assisted With Rescue)
DOB: 3/2/73
Address: 6518 Mount Palmer Court, Las Vegas

Elijah Terrin Mott (Assisted With Rescue)
DOB:9/16/77
Address: 3595 Gardenia Place, Apt. #4, Largo

Daisy Garton (Rescued/Uninjured)
DOB: 1/8/2009
Address: 6827 Gull Lane, Hudson

Marshall Garton (Rescued/Uninjured)
DOB: 11/19/2007
Address: 6827 Gull Lane, Hudson

Timothy Okelley Garton (Children’s Father)
DOB: 4/21/79
Address: 6827 Gull Lane, Hudson

What:
Deputies responded to a near drowning in the area of Johns Pass in Madeira Beach. Two bystanders assisted in rescuing two children.

When:
Deputies responded to the incident at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015.  

Where:
The incident occurred on the beach near the causeway and Johns Pass in Madeira Beach.  

Why/How:
Deputies responded to a near drowning in the area of Johns Pass in Madeira Beach at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

While on patrol during “Pirate Days” at John’s Pass, deputies were flagged down by a citizen who advised there were children in the water, caught by the current.

When deputies responded to the beach area, two children were observed in the water, being assisted by two bystanders and were pulled to the shore.

During the investigation, it became known that one bystander, Ricardo R. Rodrigues, was on the top of the John’s Pass bridge when he noticed the two children in the water being pulled away by the current. He ran from the top of the bridge, down to the beach and jumped in the water to assist in rescuing the children.

Another bystander on the beach, identified as Elijah Terrin, also jumped in the water to assist.

The children, 6-year-old Daisy Garton and 7-year-old Marshall Garton were being supervised on the beach by their father''s girlfriend at the time of the incident. Both children did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

The investigation continues.