Sen. Kane Leads State Senate In Honoring Three Bethlehem Teens For Saving Three-Year Old

Senator Rob Kane (R-32) on Wednesday presented citations to three Bethlehem teens for saving a three-year old child from drowning while they were vacationing in Florida during college spring break.

“These young men acted the way we all hope we would act if confronted with a similar crisis. They heard screaming from a backyard and, not knowing what they would find, rushed to help. Because they did not hesitate, a little boy did not drown that day and his family was spared from an unspeakable tragedy. These three teens are an inspiration, and I am proud to be their State Senator,” said Senator Kane.

The three teens – Christopher Capowich, 19, a freshman at Naugatuck Community College; Josh Woodin, 18, a freshman at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida; and his brother Elliot Woodin, 19 – were in a Winter Park neighborhood when they heard screaming. According to a witness, all three jumped a fence and dove into a backyard pool to rescue three-year old William Garcia. Other adults present had tried, and failed, to pull the child out of the deep end of the pool. Capovich performed CPR on the child, who had been underwater for several minutes. Paramedics then transported the child to a hospital.

Senator Kane, who introduced the citations with Representative Craig Miner (R-66), said he believes the General Assembly should take advantage of opportunities to highlight the positive actions of Connecticut teenagers.

“So many teenagers are doing wonderful things that we just don’t hear about. When I read the newspaper story about these fine young men, I wanted to make sure that people across our state know what they did. I know that their families and friends are proud of them. Certainly, little William Garcia’s family is grateful to them. But it is important that we, as a state, recognize and appreciate teens who act courageously and decisively when courage and decisive action are called for,” said Senator Kane.