Investigators: Sister tried to save baby brother before he drowned while father was asleep

A father was arrested after his 1-year-old son drowned in their pool while he was sleep, and investigators found illegal drugs in their home. A new report shows the baby’s young sister tried to save her brother’s life after he slipped into the pool.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shahzad Nazir Sayed Sr., 26, on Tuesday for his child’s drowning in October.

According to the sheriff’s office, the 1-year-old fell into the pool and struggled for two minutes, and deputies say surveillance video shows his 2-year-old sister tried to jump into action, but she couldn’t reach him. Then, she grabbed his arm and started splashing him, hoping he would wake up.

After almost an hour, the sister rushed inside their home to get her father, where deputies say Sayed had been asleep.

Investigators say there were no pool barriers, nor were there child locks on the doors of the home.

Surveillance video at the house also showed the children were left alone without supervision several times, and drug deals were taking place while they were present.

Sayed faces numerous charges, including aggravated manslaughter, two counts of child neglect, and several drug charges. At his first appearance on Thursday, a judge set his bond at $702,500. Should he bond out, he cannot have any contact with his daughter.

His next court appearance was set for Jan. 19.