Colorado Senate Candidate Faces Felony Charges After Daughter's Near-Drowning Incident
In a shocking incident that has drawn national attention, a Colorado state senate candidate has been arrested on serious felony charges after his young daughter nearly drowned in a hotel hot tub while he was away at a bar. The case involves Republican hopeful Frederick Alfred Jr., 38, whose actions have resulted in criminal charges that could carry significant prison time.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
The incident occurred on Monday night, April 20, at the four-star Opal Key Resort and Marina in Key West, Florida, where Alfred was staying with his two young children. According to reports from the Denver Post, Alfred suddenly left his 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter unattended at the pool area while he went to purchase drinks.
Police documents reveal that Alfred purchased a "Bourbon and Bubbles" cocktail for $20 and a Levitate cannabis-infused beverage for $16 during his absence. While he was away from his children, emergency services were called to the hotel at approximately 7:40 p.m. after receiving reports that the 4-year-old girl had nearly drowned in the hot tub.
Children's Harrowing Ordeal
The situation escalated dramatically when the girl's 6-year-old brother attempted to rescue his drowning sister, resulting in him swallowing water during the rescue attempt. After realizing their father was nowhere to be found, the boy sought help from other hotel guests.
First responders found the young girl "foaming from the mouth" before administering CPR that successfully restored her consciousness. Paramedics expressed serious concerns about potential delayed complications from the incident, warning about "very significant risk that there could be other issues from the incident that would not present themselves until later."
Parental Neglect and Legal Consequences
When Alfred returned to the pool area with the two drinks, he initially told police he had only been gone for five minutes. However, investigators noted he smelled of alcohol and initially blocked paramedics from transporting his children to the hospital before eventually relenting.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has charged Alfred with two counts of felony child neglect, an offense that carries a potential penalty of up to five years imprisonment under Florida law. The charges stem from his decision to leave young children unattended in a potentially dangerous aquatic environment.
Political Implications and Background
Frederick Alfred Jr. is currently the only Republican candidate running for election in Colorado's Senate District 21 seat, which is currently held by Democratic lawmaker Adrienne Benavidez. Benavidez assumed the position after Dafna Michaelson Jenet resigned in February, just two years into her four-year term.
This incident comes after Alfred's previous political defeat, where he lost to Jenet by just over two percentage points in the November 2024 election. The timing of these serious criminal charges could have significant implications for his current political campaign and future aspirations.
The case continues to develop as authorities investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident and prepare for potential legal proceedings. Child safety advocates have emphasized the critical importance of constant supervision when children are near water, particularly in hotel environments where multiple distractions may be present.
