'I jumped in': North Carolina child honored for saving toddler from pool

Ten-year-old Joseph Ray, left, sits with Carrboro police officer Steven Dixon on Wednesday after receiving the department’s Lifesaver Award. Ray saved a 15-month-old girl from drowning on July 4. (Joe Johnson / jjohnson@heraldsun.com)

CARRBORO, N.C. — A 10-year-old boy has been honored by North Carolina authorities for saving a 15-month-old girl from an apartment pool.

Joseph Ray "saw the baby sinking to the bottom of the pool" after she tipped out of a float. He said he jumped in and carried her out.

The Carrboro Police Department awarded Ray with its Lifesaver Award on Wednesday. The girl was taken to a hospital for observation.

Ray's mom, Tina Ongoro, said Ray didn't know the baby was a neighbor at the time, but now the two families keep in touch.