11-Year-Old Boy Honored as Hero After Rescuing Baby Brother from Drowning

Jayden Groves, 11, was at Hyde Park in St. Louis when his 22-month-old brother wandered away from the family, according to theSt. Louis Fire Department.

The toddler wound up face down in a pond during the Aug. 8 incident — but thanks to Jayden’s fast action, he wasn’t there for long.

“I pulled him out of the water. I put him in the grass and that’s when my family, they did CPR and I ran to the fire department and got help,” Jayden told NBC affiliateKSDK.

The fire department said Jayden ran to them seeking help, and members were able to quickly find the unresponsive child and get him aid. He was rushed to the hospital, but was released after a short stay and made a full recovery.

On Thursday, Jayden was honored with the St. Louis Fire Department’s Heroism Award, which he received from Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

“We salute Jayden Groves. He. Is. A. Hero!” the department wrote onTwitter.

Jayden’s mom Jocelyn Groves and his younger brother were present for the outdoor ceremony, and Jocelyn told CBS affiliateKMOVshe was “very proud” of Jayden.

Jayden told KSDK that he is contemplating a career as a firefighter in the future.

source: people.com