Police and medics responded to reports of a near-drowning at a home in El Cajon on Thursday.
According to officials, the incident was reported at around 12:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Nila Avenue.
Medics transported one victim from the scene to Grossmont Hospital.
El Cajon Police Sgt. John Hayes said the near-drowning happened in the swimming pool of the home and involved a 20 to 21-month-old toddler. The child has been transferred to Rady Children's Hospital, Sgt. Hayes said.
Sgt. Hayes says the incident is not being investigated as a crime. Police officials told NBC 7 the child's grandmother was home at the time of the near-drowning.
As of 2:30 p.m., Rady Children's Hospital spokesperson Carlos Delgado confirmed the toddler is in critical condition.
The victim's family told NBC 7 the victim is a little boy, but they did not disclose his exact age.
Family friend and neighbor Angela Botros told NBC 7 the little boy is active and friendly, and often plays with her little brother.
"He's just an ordinary little baby. He likes to play around with the balls and pull the petals off flowers and he's a sweet little kid," said Botros. "He's like my little brother, because he's like my little brother's best friend."
Botros said she had never seen the toddler around the swimming pool.
"He's a good boy. He knows that if something is dangerous around him, he knows not to do it," she added.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Photo Credit: Brandi Powell