British ‘angel’ saves child who falls four storeys

Helen Beard, from Worksop, was relaxing by the pool during her Easter holiday in Orlando when she spotted a child dangling through the fourth-floor hotel balcony at the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites.

The 44-year-old ran to a spot directly underneath where 16-month old Jah-Nea Myles was dangling and was quick enough to catch the little girl as she fell.

The toddler is thought to have hit the railings of a third-floor balcony below as she plummeted towards the poolside, but Mrs Beard caught her and broke her fall.

Jah-Nea then slipped from her grasp and hit the ground, but Mrs Beard scooped her up and held her until paramedics arrived.

The toddler was taken to hospital following the incident, but miraculously did not sustain any serious injuries.

The little girl was even described as “playful” following her lucky escape.

Jah-Nea’s 20-year-old mother, Helena Myles, said: “She’s perfectly fine. Not a scratch on her body.

“I’m thanking the Lord above right now for saving my child’s life.

“I’m also thanking that lady because she was an angel sent from heaven.”

Ms Myles and her daughter, who live in Longwood, near Orlando, were staying at the Econo Lodge in adjoining rooms with friends from North Carolina.

She said she left the toddler in the care of her friend Dominique Holt, who did not notice Jah-Nea had slipped out of their room until they heard the sound of screaming.

Ms Myles looked down to see her daughter in Mrs Beard’s arms, while Miss Holt also heard the screams and ran out of the bathroom to find the door on to the balcony was slightly ajar.

Ms Myles added: “I’m not upset with anyone. I’ve had it out with my friends. But other than that, I’m thanking God right now that my child’s here.”

Denise Rollins, a spokesman for Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said Jah-Nea was “playful” after the fall, and was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital as a precaution.

Police have said no criminal charges are pending but yesterday Carrie Hoeppner, spokeswoman for Florida’s Department of Children and Families, said that the organisation had launched an investigation.

“We do have an open investigation into the fall,” she said.

“That is understandable given the severity and the potential for harm to the child and the fact that she fell four storeys.”

She said they had to look at the issue of “supervision” but said the inquiry was not focusing on Jah-Nea’s mother.

“The mother is not at the focus of our investigation because it is our understanding that she was not there,” Ms Hoeppner said.

She said that the rescue really was a “miracle” and added: “I spoke to Helen this morning, this child’s guardian angel.

“She had already been phoned by a number of friends back home who had seen the story. It just goes to show heroes are just normal people who are capable of doing extraordinary things.”