A Bold Act of Courage Saves a Toddler at a Michigan Beach
July 16, 2026
On Sunday afternoon, a potentially tragic event at Versluis Park in Plainfield Township, Michigan, turned into an inspiring rescue thanks to the swift actions of an observant bystander.
A 2-year-old girl found unconscious and not breathing was brought to safety by Mariza Mojica, who utilized her CPR skills to bring the child back to life.
Mariza Mojica / Versluis Park / WOOD TV8
The dramatic scene unfolded around 4:30 p.m. when Mojica observed a frantic mother emerge from the water with her young daughter, who appeared lifeless.
“Honestly, I just thought about my own kids,” Mojica shared with News 8. “I would want somebody to do it for me.”
Initially frozen by the urgency of the situation, Mojica quickly overcame her hesitation.
“At first I just froze,” she recounted. “The mom was crying so I went over and took the baby out of her hands and started mouth to mouth.”
Certified in CPR for various age groups, Mojica relied on her training. As rescue breaths alone proved insufficient, she resorted to chest compressions.
“That wasn’t working,” she noted. “So, I started compressions.”
With persistence, the child eventually resumed breathing.
“It wasn’t working, so I did both and she started breathing again,” Mojica explained. “Then, she passed out, and I did it again.”
Though the moment felt prolonged, Mojica estimated she was alone with the child for about two minutes before assistance arrived.
“It felt like forever,” she reflected.
Due to Mojica’s decisive intervention, the toddler survived, and a Plainfield Charter Township representative confirmed the child has been discharged from the hospital.
Mojica, who did not anticipate being a hero that day, acted purely out of an instinct to help. Her quick thinking underscores the life-saving potential of CPR training and exemplifies how ordinary individuals can make extraordinary impacts in critical moments.
