Family of toddler injured by swing set speaks out

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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Lexi Antorino is in critical condition. (slideshow)

MANATEE COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The family of a little girl who was critically injured when a swing set collapsed on her head over the weekend spoke to the media for the first time Monday.

Two-year-old Lexi Antorino, of Palmetto, was using a swing set at the Palmetto Point Civic Association Park, when it collapsed. A pole hit her in the head.

Lexi's parents said her injuries are life-threatening and they're unsure at this time if she'll make a full recovery.

Fighting back tears Monday, Sarah Parkinson and Nicholas Antorino of Palmetto said they're hoping for the best. But right now the couple said the news about their 2-year old daughter is grim.

"I talk to her, sing to her and keep telling her to wake-up," said Lexi's mother Sarah Parkinson. "She's very critical, not good at all. There's no brain activity."

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Parkinson, who is 7-months pregnant, and Antorino went to Bradenton to help Parkinson's grandfather, who has cancer, hang up Christmas decorations Sunday afternoon. They had left Lexi with a teen-aged cousin.

Ten minutes after they arrived they received terrible news. Their daughter Lexi had been involved in an accident.

"It's nobody's fault, nobody's fault," Parkinson said. "It's a freak accident."

While the family would not comment on any future legal action they said they're not blaming anyone and they're main concern is getting their daughter better.

Meanwhile, they said they're extremely grateful to those who helped Lexi and credit 24-year old Richard Fowler, for saving her life.

Lexi's parents say her injuries are life-threatening and they're unsure at this time if she'll make a full recovery.

"I grabbed child and there was no pulse, no breathing so I began CPR," Fowler said.

"Without him we wouldn't have hope," said Lexi's father Nicholas Antorino.

Following the accident, Lexi was air-lifted to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg where she is listed in critical condition with a broken neck and severe skull fracture.

Two other children were on the swingset when it collapsed but they were not injured.

The Manatee County Sheriff's office does not anticipate any criminal charges to be filed but the case remains under investigation.

There is word that the swings were broken before and someone hung them back up. The sheriff's office said they're now reviewing surveillance video from the scene and trying to find out if this is true.

The community park remains closed.

There will be a candlelight vigil held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, according to a family friend.

It will take place at the Church on the Rocks, 1401 14-th Avenue West, in Palmetto at 8:15 p.m.

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