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Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

Allen County first responders honor 'Kid Hero' who helped saved his mom

Elijah Casiano fist bumps 'Captain America' inside the Rosseau Center on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Elijah was celebrated for his bravery making a 911 call while his mother was having a seizure in their home.
ELLA ABBOTT
/
WBOI
Elijah Casiano fist bumps 'Captain America' inside the Rosseau Center on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Elijah was celebrated for his bravery making a 911 call while his mother was having a seizure in their home.

Fort Wayne and Allen County’s 9-1-1 Consolidated Communications Partnership honored a “Kid Hero” on Thursday for his bravery and calm when he called 9-1-1 while his mother was unconscious in their home. WBOI’s Ella Abbott was there for the recognition.

Executive Director of the Consolidated Communications Partnership, David Bubb, presents Elijah Casiano with a certificate commemorating his bravery.
ELLA ABBOTT
/
WBOI
Executive Director of the Consolidated Communications Partnership, David Bubb, presents Elijah Casiano with a certificate commemorating his bravery.

That’s five-year-old Elijah Casiano talking to a 9-1-1 dispatcher in Fort Wayne while his mother has a seizure in their home in January.

Elijah Casiano sports a superhero cape given to him by the Consolidated Communications Partnership.
ELLA ABBOTT
/
WBOI
Elijah Casiano sports a superhero cape given to him by the Consolidated Communications Partnership.

According to Janet Ritter, the dispatcher he spoke to, Elijah spoke calmly, had information she needed ready and was even able to calm his younger brother.

“He did amazing. A lot of adults don’t do that well on a phone call,” Ritter said.

Elijah’s mom, Kirstin Casiano, has epilepsy and his parents said they knew there was always a chance he’d need to call 9-1-1 if Kirstin needed help. They worked on making him comfortable calling and helped him know what he would need to say.

Allen County Commissioner Richard Beck says the gravity of the situation probably hasn’t sunk in for Elijah yet, but one day it will.

“You probably saved your mother’s life and you are truly a hero to Fort Wayne-Allen County,” Beck said.

Elijah was celebrated with gifts from the Fort Wayne Police Department, Fort Wayne Fire Department, Allen County Sheriff's Department and the 9-1-1 dispatchers, including a superhero cape and backpack.

Ella Abbott is a multimedia reporter for 89.1 WBOI. She is a strong believer in the ways audio storytelling can engage an audience and create a sensory experience.