It was a surprise for the whole family. Aaron Cahal who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, played a part in saving the life of a child.
The 23-year-old, who has a hard time communicating verbally, uses his iPhone to connect with people through text and social media.
Cahal used his phone to message local police in South Point, Ohio, to ask for help over the weekend.
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“I am very proud of him for what he done that day and having a part in saving that little baby’s life,” Cahal’s mom, Lorena Cahal, told CBS.
In the message posted to Facebook, Cahal wrote: “Poice we neee poice I heard big crying poeple scary poeple.” He also sent a picture of the location of the home.
At that same moment someone at the police department was scanning the Facebook page.
It all started when Cahal was in his backyard and heard screams coming from nearby. He knew something wasn’t right.
He followed the screams and what he found was an 18-month-old child who had fallen in a swimming pool.
“Aaron with his way of knowing people, I think that might be what helped him know something was wrong,” Cahal’s grandmother, Sue Cahal said.
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While Cahal was getting help, another person in the neighbourhood jumped in to perform CPR.
Cahal’s family says they are overjoyed with the way he handled the situation.
“Never underestimate no matter the ability or disability of a person because you have no idea what they have to say or how they feel or what they have to contribute to society,” Lorena said.
The child saved from the pool is now in hospital getting treatment. Police could not confirm the child’s condition or how the child ended up in the pool.