A Colorado Republican state Senate candidate is facing felony child neglect charges following a Florida hotel pool incident in which a 4-year-old girl briefly lost consciousness and was revived by bystanders performing CPR, according to law enforcement records and multiple media reports.
Frederick Alfred Jr., 38, the only Republican candidate for Colorado Senate District 21, was arrested in Key West after authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a child in distress at the Opal Key Resort and Marina, according to officials.
Police say the incident occurred while Alfred’s two children, ages 6 and 4, were in a hotel pool area without an adult present.
The situation escalated when the older child sought help from a nearby guest after realizing his sister was unresponsive in the water.
Witnesses told investigators the girl was removed from the pool unconscious and appearing to have foam at her mouth.
CPR was immediately administered by a bystander before emergency responders arrived and took over care, according to the Miami Herald.
First responders later confirmed the child regained consciousness following emergency treatment.
The boy, who attempted to assist his sister, also swallowed pool water but was not seriously injured, according to Denver7.
When Alfred returned to the pool area during the emergency response, police said he was carrying an alcoholic beverage.
Investigators later obtained a bar receipt showing he had purchased two drinks shortly before the incident.
Alfred told officers he had only stepped away briefly—about five minutes—to a nearby bar while the children remained near a hot tub area.
However, investigators noted signs of alcohol consumption, including the odor of alcohol on his breath, according to The Blaze.
Emergency personnel recommended both children be transported to a hospital for precautionary evaluation due to the risks associated with near-drowning incidents, but Alfred initially refused medical transport.
He later agreed, and both children were taken to Lower Keys Medical Center.
Authorities arrested Alfred later that evening, booking him into the Monroe County Detention Center on two felony counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. Court records indicate he was released and is scheduled for arraignment on May 5.
The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident, consistent with standard protocol in potential child endangerment cases.
Alfred, a Commerce City resident, previously ran for the same seat in 2024, narrowly losing by just over two percentage points.
He entered the race again this cycle and is currently the sole Republican candidate in the district, according to Colorado Politics.
His campaign platform emphasizes parental rights, stating that “families, not the state, should guide their children,” along with priorities focused on education, energy policy, and economic development.
According to his campaign website, he has positioned himself as a conservative candidate advocating reduced government involvement in family and school decisions.
Following his arrest, Alfred was dropped by the nonpartisan Chainsaw Caucus, which cited concerns over accountability and parental responsibility in a public statement.
Authorities have not released additional findings beyond the initial report, and Alfred has not issued a public comment. The case remains active as it proceeds through the Florida court system
