Eight-year-old Ryan Crosby was struggling with his math homework and remembered what his mom always told him: “Don’t be afraid to call 911 if you need help.” So he did. The dispatcher was surprised but quickly realized something was wrong when Ryan revealed he was home alone.
Ryan told the operator that his mom wasn’t home and no other adult was with him. Concerned, the dispatcher traced the call. Police arrived and confirmed Ryan had been alone since school. His mother’s phone was off, and she hadn’t been seen all day.
Using GPS data and a K9 unit, officers tracked Ryan’s mom, Matilda, to a deserted road. They found her unconscious in her car, having passed out from heat exhaustion. An open window helped her survive, and she was rushed to the hospital.
“You saved my life,” Matilda told her son. The story is a powerful reminder: teach kids how and when to call 911—it might save a life.
