WINDSOR – A 4-year-old girl is doing "OK" after she was rescued at the Windsor Lake Swim Beach on Sunday afternoon, according to Windsor Police.
The little girl, identified by her mother as Sitlali Hernandez, was found by Angelo Mondragon, who took her from the water to the shore, Lt. Richard Higuera said.
Two off-duty nurses were able to resuscitate the little girl.
The girl was transported to the Medical Center of the Rockies and then later taken to Children's Hospita in Aurora. Officials at the hospital say she is in good condition and is awake and talking.
Sitlali is expected to be in the hospital for at least two more days.
Angelo Mondragon, a 32-year-old Fort Collins plumber, told 9NEWS he felt her body floating beside him.
"I saw her toes and at that moment she became my baby," he said. "And I didn't think twice. I just dove in and my parent instincts took over. I grabbed her out of the water and screamed 'Whose baby is this?'"
On Monday, Mondragon took a trip to Children's Hospital to visit the the toddler.
"I came here because like I told you," he said. "When I saw that little girl's toes, that became my baby. She was my family and I did everything that I could, that I would do for my family."
"I just want her to know that we're here for her and we're going to see her all the way through her healing process and we're going to watch her grow up," he said.
Sitlali's mother, Emma, thanks Mondragon during an emotional meeting outside of the hospital.
"You saved her. You saved her. You saved my baby," said Emma, whose eyes were full of tears.
"You're very welcome. You're very welcome. You're very welcome," Mondragon responded. "Let's go see her. I can't wait to see her. She's part of our family now. You guys are part of our family now."
(© 2015 KUSA)
