Crime & Safety

Franconia Elementary Student Saves Nephew With 911 Call

10-year-old Cynthia Almendarez translated 911 instructions to her mother

When Franconia Elementary fifth-grader Cynthia Almendarez noticed that her 2-year-old nephew Christopher was having trouble breathing, she could have panicked. After all, she's only 10 years old.

Instead, she saved his life with a call to 911.  

At home with Christopher and her mother in the afternoon on July 13 last year, Cynthia noticed that her nephew was having trouble breathing.

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"I was a little scared because of seeing Christopher's face purple," Cynthia said Monday. Cynthia remembered learning about 911 in school. She called the number, where she reached operator Cheryl Dean.

Dean began instructing Cynthia, who translated Dean's medical instructions from English to Spanish for her mother, Maria Isabel Almendarez, until the ambulance arrived. Christopher survived his breathing problem, which was caused by an infection.

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On Monday night, Cynthia and her family were honored at Fairfax County's Department of Public Safety Communication's promotions and awards ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

"What makes this different is that Cynthia is so young," said Dean, before picking up Christopher for a picture. Dean was impressed by Cynthia's ability to convey her instructions, despite her young age.

Since July, Cynthia has received a commendation from the Board of Supervisors, as well as several emergency-related awards. In December, she received the "9-1-1 for Kids" award at Franconia Elementary. 

Last December, Public Safety Communication's employees inspired by Cynthia's story gave her family Christmas presents. 

"This isn't a made-up story," said Roy Oliver, the assistant director for support services in the Department of Public Safety Communications. "This is a family coming together."

According to Oliver, Cynthia's story is a way for the department to reach out to both children and the Hispanic community, whose members can sometimes be afraid of calling 911. Oliver said he's impressed by how Cynthia handled herself during the emergency.

"I can't even comprehend putting myself on that side of the phone," Oliver said.

As for Cynthia, she said she doesn't think of herself as a hero. That doesn't stop other people from treating her like one, though. 

"My friends are like, you're a star, you're going to be on TV," Cynthia said.


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