A Fort Worth family said their toddler is lucky to be alive after he was found unconscious in the backyard pool earlier this month. They believe he's here today because of a team effort that involved family members and first responders working hand in hand to save him.
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, the west division responded to a “water emergency call” on May 1 regarding a 2-year-old boy named Rowdy who appeared to have drowned in a pool.
“I remember whenever the call came in. You know, it pops up as a priority one for us ... I remember seeing that it said 'brother drowning.' And I’m like, 'Oh my God.' My heart kind of sank when Medstar added details that it was a 2-year-old," said dispatcher Olivia Hernandez.
Hernandez handled the call after it was placed to 911 by Lindsey and Bret Westbrook's 9-year-old daughter.
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“We came home, and our son had fallen in the pool and wasn’t breathing. The babysitter was performing CPR," said Bret Westbrook.
Lindsey took over until the police arrived.
When Officer Tommy Davachi and Sgt. Jeffery Brady got to the home they jumped into action.
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Davachi immediately took over chest compressions while Brady assisted with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. They rotated through, working alongside Lindsey to save her son.
The Fort Worth Fire Department arrived within minutes and assisted with medical care along with MedStar who transported the child to Cook Children's Medical Center.
There, the initial prognosis was grim. Rowdy remained in the ICU for several days while doctors watched for brain activity.
But little by little, he began to show signs of improvement. And miraculously, one week later Rowdy was back home, running around with his siblings as if nothing had ever happened.
“We’re so fortunate and so blessed that he’s still here today. The power of prayer is very real, and we’re so thankful for our community. We’re thankful for our family that was there for us. We’re thankful for God in giving Rowdy a second chance. He has big things ahead in life, and we’re so excited for that," said Lindsey Westbrook.
To celebrate this incredible outcome, Davachi, along with the entire second shift team who responded to the initial call, visited Rowdy and his family. They took teddy bears for Rowdy and his siblings and allowed the family to even take tours of their police cars.
“It was a healing process for all of us ... These events, they can traumatize officers. So for the officers, and me, for me to come back and see that he was ok. That was great," said Brady.
