Two young siblings in Delafield, Wisconsin, demonstrated remarkable composure and quick thinking when a peaceful bedtime story session took a life-threatening turn. The children, aged 8 and 6, became unexpected heroes when their grandfather suffered a medical emergency right in front of them.
During a babysitting evening on January 29, 75-year-old Jeff Beyer was reading “If You Go Down to the Woods Today” to his grandchildren, Everett and Annemarie, when he suddenly stood up, mentioned feeling dizzy, and collapsed. What followed was an extraordinary display of calmness and capability from two children who could have easily panicked.
Young heroes spring into action
Without hesitation, 8-year-old Everett retrieved his grandfather’s phone and dialed emergency services. “Hello, this is Everett. Um, our grandpa’s feeling really dizzy,” he calmly explained to the dispatcher. Throughout the call, he maintained composure, responding to questions and involving his 6-year-old sister when necessary.
Annemarie’s actions were equally impressive. She verified that her grandfather was still breathing when asked by the dispatcher. The young girl even had the presence of mind to request that emergency vehicles arrive without sirens because she found them frightening. Additionally, she took the initiative to secure the family dog in its crate to prevent any interference with the paramedics.
Dispatcher Kate Hermann expressed amazement at the children’s performance. “These kids were incredible,” she said. “Honestly, they did a lot better than some of our adult callers.”
Emergency preparedness makes the difference
The children’s ability to respond effectively stemmed from deliberate preparation. Their mother, Lisa, credited her own late mother, who had passed away just one year earlier, with instilling the importance of memorizing essential information like home addresses and phone numbers. This generational wisdom proved invaluable during the crisis.
Everett also benefited from training received through Boy Scouts and his school’s AHA program, which equipped him with knowledge that became critical in the emergency situation.
Beyer was transported to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had experienced a heart attack. He survived the ordeal. “They saved my life,” he said.
Community recognition
The siblings’ heroic actions were formally recognized at a City Hall ceremony in Delafield, where Police Chief Landon Nyren honored them with visible emotion.
The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of teaching children basic emergency procedures early in life, including how to contact emergency services, what information to provide, and how to respond when someone experiences a medical crisis. These fundamental skills can mean the difference between life and death.
