Hero girl, 7, honored for saving grandfather's life

(From left to right) Anthony Victorino, Jr., Maggie Miksch and Mary Vitek, CEO for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Maggie, age 7, received the Girl Scout Medal of Honor for saving the life of her grandfather Anthony. Lifesaving Awards recognize Girl Scouts from 5-17 years of age who have heroically saved or attempted to save a life. Maggie is only one of 13 girls in the nation to receive this prestigious award this year.

  DAYTON, TX (KTRK) -- A seven-year-old girl from Dayton, TX, has joined an elite group. Girl Scout Daisy Maggie Miksch received the Lifesaving Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA for her act of bravery and heroism in saving the life of her grandfather, Anthony "Elephant" Victorino, Jr.

While preparing dinner on February 15, Maggie's grandfather became ill and fell to the floor. Maggie quickly and calmly sprang into action. She called her father on his cell phone to tell him of the incident. Maggie's father immediately called 911, Maggie's mother and neighbors for help on a separate phone. He then walked Maggie through the steps of checking her grandfather's vital signs. Maggie also made sure the gas stove that her grandfather was cooking on had been turned off. When Maggie's grandfather regained consciousness, he couldn't talk clearly, catch his breath or stand up. Maggie got a small pillow that she placed under his head and instructed her three-year-old sister to get a small towel that she could dampen and place on her grandfather's forehead. When help arrived, Maggie recalled what happened and showed paramedics where her grandfather kept his medicine.

"I know I am her father, but I have never in my life been so proud of anyone," said John Miksch, Maggie's father. "At seven years of age, (Maggie) never panicked, cried or left her grandfather's side."

Lifesaving Awards have been a part of Girl Scouts since Girl Scouting began in the United States in 1912. These awards recognize Girl Scouts from 5-17 years of age who have heroically saved or attempted to save a life. There are two Lifesaving Awards -- the Lifesaving Bronze Cross is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life with risk to the candidate's own life and the Lifesaving Medal of Honor is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life without risk to the candidate's own life. Maggie earned the Lifesaving Medal of Honor.

"The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place," said Mary Vitek, chief executive office for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. "Maggie is a living testament to the highest principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and we could not be prouder of her achievement."

In 2012, only 13 girls in the nation earned this prestigious award. Maggie was awarded hers on August 29.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Boy, 4, saves grandfather's life

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- His family says this boy's bravery helped save his grandfather's life. Kanden Jones may be too young to own a smart phone, but apparently he knows how to use one. The family of the four-year-old says that knowledge helped him when his grandfather's health took a turn for the worse.

It started as a guy's day between grandfather and grandson while mom and dad tried to get in some holiday shopping. But a near disaster turned into a holiday present the Jones family says they will never forget and always cherish.

It's a cozy night for Kanden and his Paw-Paw, Carl Jones. A far cry from what they experienced on Saturday. Carl Jones was near death, and with no one around, it was up to Kanden to do something. At four years old, Kanden doesn't know his own telephone number, but knew how to work an iPhone.

"I called that button, but it wasn't working so I called that button," Kanden said. "I pressed the camera button"

Whether he knew it or not, Kanden was recording a video -- you can see Kanden as he was running through the woods; you can hear Kanden whimpering and you can see Carl Jones lying on the ground

"I was just running back and forth. I wasn't afraid of nothing," said Kanden. "I was crying cause I wanted my parents."

Kanden and his grandfather were on a massive deer lease in Liberty County. A picture was taken earlier in the day inside the deer stand. They'd gotten there at 6am and by 10 in the morning were ready for lunch. That's when Carl realized he was woozy.

"My diabetes, my sugar got too low and I knew it was starting to get low; that's why we was going back to camp," said Carl.

They never made it, Carl passed out and Kanden couldn't wake up his Paw-Paw.

Kanden had inadvertently redialed his parent's phone number already logged into the iPhone and told his father Paw-Paw was sleeping.

"I said, 'He's asleep?' He said, 'Yeah.' And he kept yelling to my dad, 'Hey Paw-Paw, Daddy wants to talk to you, Daddy wants to talk to you.' And I knew because of my dad's diabetes that something was wrong," said Jarret Jones.

Kanden's parents and other family members drove immediately to the deer lease. On foot and hollering, it took a frantic two hours before they found Kanden.

"I said, 'Bubba if you hear us, you have to holler back and let Mommy know.' Two seconds later he says, 'Momma, I'm right here,'" said Tiffany Jones.

Carl was found lying on the ground a few feet away.

"I think somebody, I just really think it wasn't my time to go. I think the good Lord was telling me, Carl you need to wake up," he said.

The Jones family also called the police and called for an ambulance. Carl Jones was taken to a nearby hospital and treated. Now the whole family is together and eager to celebrate what they say is their biggest gift ever -- a family that's intact.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, cynthia cisneros

View the original article here