5th Grader Hailed a Hero for Saving Mother
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: December 11, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - It's not unusual for Cedar Ridge Elementary School to hold assemblies.
But one that happened Tuesday at the new Bloomington school was different.
A student in the audience had no idea the assembly was all about her.
"She did something special that we wanted to come out to recognize," said Bloomington Fire Capt. Brad McCollum.
'Special' might be an understatement.
A few paramedics that joined McCollum at the assembly said what 5th grader Katherine Barnes did is nothing short of 'heroic.'
"We can't do our job unless we know there's a problem. So, she was able to help us do our job and take care of her mother," said Bloomington firefighter/paramedic Paul Sudlow.
On November 17 at around 9:30 p.m., Barnes sprung into action when she noticed something was not right with her mom April.
"My mom was shaking," the 11-year-old said.
All April Barnes remembers is seeing her two kids playing games and preparing to watch television.
"I blacked out," she said.
In the end, paramedics said April had a seizure.
Katherine, meanwhile, did not panic. Instead, she remembered something she has heard before.
"(I) Grabbed the phone and dialed 911," she said.
"I'm still kind of surprised over it. It's still kind of shocking that she actually did it," April said, recalling her first reaction upon learning of her daughter's actions.
Katherine was able to tell a Bloomington dispatcher everything they needed so paramedics could arrived prepared.
"She said she couldn't wake her mom up, so that clued us in to send more resources," Sudlow recalled.
The Bloomington Fire Department is now recognizing Katherine with a certificate and medallion to commemorate her bravery in a situation that could have turned out differently without her quick thinking.
"(I'm) Very proud, very proud. She's a smart girl," April said.
This wasn't the family's first scare.
April had an episode once before where Katherine didn't call 911 right away.
The girl said that moment helped prepare her in case her mom ever needed help again.
But one that happened Tuesday at the new Bloomington school was different.
A student in the audience had no idea the assembly was all about her.
"She did something special that we wanted to come out to recognize," said Bloomington Fire Capt. Brad McCollum.
'Special' might be an understatement.
A few paramedics that joined McCollum at the assembly said what 5th grader Katherine Barnes did is nothing short of 'heroic.'
"We can't do our job unless we know there's a problem. So, she was able to help us do our job and take care of her mother," said Bloomington firefighter/paramedic Paul Sudlow.
On November 17 at around 9:30 p.m., Barnes sprung into action when she noticed something was not right with her mom April.
"My mom was shaking," the 11-year-old said.
All April Barnes remembers is seeing her two kids playing games and preparing to watch television.
"I blacked out," she said.
In the end, paramedics said April had a seizure.
Katherine, meanwhile, did not panic. Instead, she remembered something she has heard before.
"(I) Grabbed the phone and dialed 911," she said.
"I'm still kind of surprised over it. It's still kind of shocking that she actually did it," April said, recalling her first reaction upon learning of her daughter's actions.
Katherine was able to tell a Bloomington dispatcher everything they needed so paramedics could arrived prepared.
"She said she couldn't wake her mom up, so that clued us in to send more resources," Sudlow recalled.
The Bloomington Fire Department is now recognizing Katherine with a certificate and medallion to commemorate her bravery in a situation that could have turned out differently without her quick thinking.
"(I'm) Very proud, very proud. She's a smart girl," April said.
This wasn't the family's first scare.
April had an episode once before where Katherine didn't call 911 right away.
The girl said that moment helped prepare her in case her mom ever needed help again.
