Mother of 4-Year-Old Boy Who Drowned Arrested

PORT CANAVERAL, Florida -- The mother of a 4-year-old boy who drowned in the Banana River just west of the Port Canaveral locks was arrested today at approximately 2:45 p.m.

21-Year-Old Alisha Rudd was taken into custody by Agents of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office on two outstanding warrants from Okeechobee County, Florida.  The warrants were for Violation of Probation in reference to a burglary.

The Port Canaveral Police Department is continuing its investigating into the drowning death of a 4-year-old boy who is now identified as Cameron Willis.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. yesterday, the Port Canaveral Police Department received a call regarding a possible drowning involving a small child.  This incident occurred in the area of “Ski Island” in the Banana River. 

A Port Canaveral Police Department Marine Officer along with a Fire Fighter/EMT from Canaveral Fire Rescue responded to the scene through the Port Canaveral Locks.

Once through the locks, the emergency responders were flagged down by a boater who had brought the child onboard his vessel.  Life-saving measures were immediately initiated.  The child was brought to shore where additional advanced life support (ALS) efforts were employed. 

The child was subsequently transported to Cape Canaveral Hospital by Brevard County Fire Rescue. The boy was pronounced dead at Cape Canaveral Hospital at 3:06 p.m.

Port Canaveral police are being supported by the investigative resources of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the law enforcement branch of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS or the Port Canaveral Police Department at (321) 394-3281.