Colorado candidate arrested after his daughter nearly drowned, but a $36 receipt proved exactly where he’d gone while the 4-year-old was struggling

Colorado state senate candidate Frederick Alfred Jr. has been arrested on two counts of felony child neglect after his four-year-old daughter nearly drowned in a hotel hot tub. The 38-year-old was staying at the four-star Opal Key Resort and Marina in Key West, Florida, when the incident occurred on Monday night.

It is a tough situation to process, especially given that the candidate has built his political platform around the importance of parental rights and his identity as a devoted father. The sequence of events leading to the arrest is quite harrowing. According to an arrest report, Alfred left his four-year-old daughter and six-year-old son unattended at the hotel pool area. While he was away, he made a purchase at the bar.

According to New York Post, a receipt confirms he spent $20 on a Bourbon and Bubbles drink and $16 on a Levitate cannabis-infused drink. While he was grabbing these beverages, the situation at the pool took a dangerous turn. Police were called to the scene at 7:40 PM after receiving reports that the young girl had almost drowned.

Imagine blocking paramedics from helping your own foaming child

The six-year-old brother reportedly tried to rescue his sister from the water, swallowing some in the process, before realizing his father was nowhere to be found. He then sought help from other guests. When responders arrived, the girl was described as foaming from the mouth. They performed CPR until she regained consciousness. Fortunately, it was not fatal, but this kind of neglect involving young children can quickly turn deadly. It is hard to imagine how terrifying that must have been for everyone involved.

When Alfred eventually returned to the pool area with his two drinks, investigators noted that he smelled of alcohol. He told the officers that he had only been gone for five minutes. The situation escalated further when Alfred initially blocked paramedics from taking his children to the hospital for further evaluation. Paramedics had to explicitly warn him about the very significant risk that there could be other issues from the incident that would not present themselves until later.

He eventually relented and allowed the children to be taken for medical care. The legal consequences for these actions are serious. Monroe County Sheriffs booked Alfred on two counts of felony child neglect. In Florida, this offense carries a potential penalty of up to five years of imprisonment. This is a massive development for his campaign, as he is the sole Republican candidate running for the Senate District 21 seat in Colorado.

The seat is currently held by Democratic lawmaker Adrienne Benavidez, who assumed the position after the resignation of Dafna Michaelson Jenet in February. Alfred previously faced off against Jenet in November 2024, where he lost by just over two percentage points. The political fallout has been swift. The non-partisan Chainsaw Caucus has already dropped Alfred from their support. The organization’s chair, Hannah Goodman, issued a statement regarding the decision.

“The serious allegations of child neglect reported today are incompatible with the core principles of parental responsibility and personal accountability that define our organization. We wish the children a full recovery and expect the legal process to run its course,” Goodman said. It is particularly notable because Alfred’s campaign has been centered on the idea of parental rights.

On his official campaign website, he has emphasized his role as a father, stating that he and his wife, Adily, are raising their two children in Commerce City. He has explicitly stated that he believes families should guide their children’s education and that he is dedicated to ensuring those parental rights are respected. He describes himself as a husband, father, and community leader who is committed to building a stronger future for the district.

He often mentions his background as the son of immigrants from Haiti and St. Lucia, noting that he was raised to value hard work, faith, and the opportunities provided by the country. His professional background spans industries from healthcare to technology, and he has claimed to be focused on bringing practical solutions to complex problems.

Now, the candidate faces a very different kind of problem as he navigates the legal system. If he is convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.