Baby Sitter Charged After NJ Toddler Nearly Drowns

Authorities say a toddler nearly drowned in a hotel pool while his baby sitter was under the influence of drugs.

Park Ridge police tell The Record that 32-year-old Peter Clark of Bogota faces several charges, including aggravated assault and child endangerment.

Clark, an acquaintance of the child's mother, was watching the 20-month-old boy Sunday while she was in the hotel with another child.

Witnesses said the boy had a life jacket on, but Clark didn't notice that the toddler's head was underwater. Clark didn't respond when bystanders told him the boy was struggling, so they pulled the child from the water.

The toddler remained hospitalized Monday, but further details on his condition weren't disclosed.

Clark remains jailed on $25,000 bail. It's not known if he's retained a lawyer.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)