Hammonton, NJ Six-Year-Old Saves Mom's Life By Calling 911
By Jenn Bernstein
HAMMONTON, NJ (CBS) -- Alyssa Capelli is, in many ways, your average six-year-old.
She loves Barbies, Disney characters and the color pink.
But this little girl is far from ordinary.
When faced with an emergency this past weekend, she knew exactly what to do.
"It was just her and me in the house. I went to the bathroom with the door open, and I don't remember anything after that," explained her mother, Melinda Chiappine.
Melinda collapsed and became unconscious after suffering from an anemic episode.
That's when Alyssa placed a call for help.
Police Audio Recording:
DISPATCHER: "911, what is your emergency?"
ALYSSA: "My mom is not speaking…"
DISPATCHER: "What is your name?"
ALYSSA: "Alyssa Capelli."
Alyssa was able to calmly give the dispatcher her address.
Police Audio Recording:
DISPATCHER: "Are you still there, sweetie?"
ALYSSA: "Yes…"
DISPATCHER: "Alright, I am getting you an ambulance for your mom, okay?"
ALYSSA: "Alright."
"About a month ago is when I actually taught her how to access the keypad in my iPhone," said Melinda, "If she didn't know how to call 911, I don't know what would have happened to me."
Lieutenant Kevin Friel, with the Hammonton Police Department, says this serves as a lesson to families.
"I think parents should realize that their children -- they're little people," said Lt. Friel, "[They] can do anything that a grown up can do when they feel empowered to do so."
Lieutenant Friel says the best way to teach your kids how to handle emergency situations is to actually go through scenarios with them.
For example, have them show you how to dial 911 on your phone, and then you should role play as the dispatcher.
"A six-year-old kid can definitely save someone's life, and did in this situation," said Lt. Friel.
"I think she is just wise beyond her years," agreed Melinda.
Alyssa is back to being six, but her mother will never forget her brave actions.
