RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - A Richmond elementary schooler is being hailed as a hero for helping get her dad help after an emergency.
Ja'khiay Phillips was given a special award from the Richmond Police Department Friday for her actions.
The incident happened about a year ago when Ja'khiay was just 4 years old. Police say she tried to wake her dad up but couldn't. She then used a cell phone in the house to call 911.
Police say Ja'khiay didn't know her address, but was able to stay on the phone with dispatchers for several minutes describing where she was, what the outside of her house looked like and cars located nearby. When rescue crews arrived a few minutes later, she was able to let them in and paramedics treated her dad.
"Just the fact that a 4-year-old girl had the mindset to know to call 911 and keep us on the phone and help us get to the house was just outstanding," says Richmond Police Officer Robert Capocelli.
Capocelli teaches kids at Ja'Khiay's elementary school, JEB Stuart Elementary, about the importance of calling 911 in an emergency. He says this story is also a reminder of how important it is for everyone to talk to their children and grandchildren about how to handle emergencies.
