A local woman says "miracles are still out there" after her 20-month-old son survived a fall into an outdoor pool and was without a heartbeat for about two hours.
Gillian Burnett told Sarnia News Today that her son, Waylon, fell into an icy pool while at an at-home daycare.
According to a GoFundMe page launched for the family, the incident happened in Petrolia on January 24.
He was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to London Victoria & Children's Hospital where he remains in the Critical Care Unit.
Burnett said they were given a 10 per cent chance of him surviving.
"He has tubes out. He's doing good, we're just trying to get control of his seizures," said Burnett.
At around 12 p.m. on Monday, Burnett said Waylon had already had five seizures that day.
"He does have brain damage to the right side of his brain but we're just kind of blown away by God and by the doctors," she said. "From not having a heartbeat for two hours to being here, is pretty remarkable."
GoFundMe raised after toddler falls into outdoor pool in Petrolia. January 2023. (Photo courtesy of GoFundMe)
Burnett said Waylon will likely be in the hospital for a few more weeks. She also said the severity of his brain damage is unknown at this point but doctors have said the left side of his body is compromised and he may have memory and vision impairments among others.
"Everybody here is blown away that he has made it to today because nobody thought he was going to be able to make it through the night," she said. "He's quite the fighter. Honestly, I believe that if it wasn't for God, he wouldn't be here today."
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the incident. However, no further details could be confirmed or released at this time.
Burnett said from what they've heard, the incident lasted about five minutes but she's unsure exactly how long Waylon was underwater for. She said her three-year-old daughter witnessed it.
"I don't think she understands it but she knows something happened and we're just kind of working with her to understand... that he's just sick and he needs some help," Burnett said.
As of Monday afternoon, over $14,000 had been raised through the GoFundMe page.
Homestead and Highlands also planned a fundraiser in Wilkesport on Sunday involving calves. All spots booked up quickly.