‘Angel Sent From Heaven’: British Tourist Who Caught Falling Baby Tells Her Story
- Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:13am by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Helen Beard was poolside with her son and partner at a Florida hotel when she heard a scream and turned to find a 1-year-old girl dangling from a fourth-story balcony. She leapt up and positioned herself beneath the toddler just in time to catch her, saving the girl from certain injury.
The Blaze initially reported that story here.
The 46-year-old British data analyst said she didn’t consider herself a hero, even though she was showered with awards Friday for her actions two days ago.
The child’s 20-year-old mother said, “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.
“It feels a bit daunting to be here for something that was instinctive,” said Beard, of Worksop, England. “It felt like it was something anyone would have done and I feel honored to be recognized in this way.”
Beard, who is on a 12-day vacation in Orlando with her partner and 10-year-old son, was given the Orange County Sheriff Office’s Medal of Merit. She also received awards from a local branch of the chamber of commerce and the state Department of Children and Family Services.
In addition, the chamber gave the family passes and $100 gift certificates to Orlando’s SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World theme parks.
“It is certainly one of the most remarkable stories of the year,” Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said during a news conference Friday.
The toddler, Jah-Nea Myles, was not seriously hurt, though she did hit her head on the rail of a third-floor balcony during the fall.
“It was a very surreal event,” Beard said. “… Luckily I had my flat shoes on and I managed to run over and catch her as she lost her grip. It all happened so quickly. And I just sat with her and tried to calm her down. Everyone was panicking around me because it was very hectic.”
According to the sheriff’s department incident report, Jah-Nea apparently slipped out through the railing of her fourth-floor balcony, but was able to briefly grab ahold of it. Jah-Nea’s mother, Helena Myles, told deputies her daughter was being watched by a friend, Dominique Holt, at the time.
Holt said she had gone to the bathroom and then heard screams. She told officials that the balcony door may have been cracked, but that she was certain it was not wide open. DCF is investigating the incident.
Jah-Nea’s parents were not at the ceremony, and Beard said she had not spoken with them.
Beard said that her family deliberately avoided the media attention from the incident afterward and “snuck off to Disney” on Thursday before returning late in the evening. She said she has already started getting text messages from friends who heard about the rescue in England.
“I think I just want to get back to my vacation really,” Beard said. “But I think it’s nice to have a good news story in these difficult times for all of us. … It’s been an eventful couple of days.”
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Comments (91)
BubbaT
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:57amWhats that cliche, a door closes and a window opens? Well unfortunately for the other British tourists in Florida, the door closed after that BLACK (of course) rat punk thug shot them in cold blood. Good to hear the window opened for this British tourist.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:29amI take this as “Divine intervention” also — don’t really believe in “coincidences” bc I believe the biblical teaching that God always knows what’s going on at all times and is always in control…and He also knows the future & every human being intimately. Plus, I’ve had many incidences in my own life where someone would appear out of the blue to rescue, help. Either God works through real people like this one, I believe, or sends an angel – sometimes invisible to the human eye….or appears as one. As to “partner” deal, yes, I do think there has been a gradual indoctrination/brainwashing type thing re homosexuals to regard them as the acceptable “mainstream”, nothing wrong with it…just add it to the long list of those atheists, Socialists/Communists who are striving for secularism. They’ve geen doing it in our public schools for decades. They use cleverly chosen words and phrases as mantras until it’s accepted – so the use of “partner” instead of husband/wife is a good strategy. Unfortunately, the success rate is very high bc of human nature, which they exploit to their advantage, ala satan. Very succesful……we now have a more Sodom and Gomorrah nation.
Report Post »Nick Pable with Buckshot
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:57amDidn’t you read the post above? This heroine is married with 2 children – so what possible relevance has your rant about gays got to do with anything! Why can’t you just be grateful that there are still people like this in the world who instinctively help others. This is a good news story – or can’t you handle that!?
Report Post »Anne
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 3:24pmWhat are you ranting about? You’re kidding i hope.
Report Post »4X4in
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:02amIt wouldn’t matter to me if she fondled monkeys, nice catch.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:30amDidn’t she win some British TV singing contest?
Report Post »conservativemom99
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:13am“Jah-Nea’s parents were not at the ceremony, and Beard said she had not spoken with them.”
huh? How is that possible? Had anyone…and I mean ANYONE saved my child when they fell from a balcony, I would be showering them with hugs, thanks and praise, not to mention tears…
Report Post »twistin
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:09amyeah, what’s up with that?
Report Post »jtgray1
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 2:34amDam — It’s about time someone figured out what was really wrong in this story. The parents had NO contact with the Hero — Unbelievable. I knew a solid conservative would see the point immediately. What’s with some parents? A stranger saves their daughter’s life, and they have no contact with her. Their lack of gratefulness and decency is an embarrassment. Thanks for pointing it out Conservativemom99.
Report Post »christos
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:13amIn the Bible Angels are always,men so actually an Angel broke the child’s fall and a caring,lady caught the bundle…
Report Post »JokerWatcher
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:43amWell, I’m going with- THIS Angel happened to be a lady, a British lady…
Report Post »Rokrevthin
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:49pmThe Bible states clearly that “you have entertained angels unaware” — do you truly believe that’s possible if you understand what to look for, inclusive of gender? Remember there are some Angels that do nothing but face God, others that watch over people, others that form a massive army of the Lord — the Bible tells you there are more than one kind of angel. Likewise, it is clear that there are no limits to what the Lord can do or create.
I think you’re following the social Christian line too much, and not understanding the Bible’s scope and breadth, in claiming that all angels must be male — especially since there are genderless notions of angels, as well as male versions. You must remember, that while there are some that state the “men” in regard to angels, other verses simply state “angels” without gender tags. It’s a denominational mis-teaching that there can only be one gender of angels — and should be rejected.
Genderless: Mark 12:25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Male: According to Genesis, the Angels are certainly male 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
Female:Zechariah 5:9-11 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; {3} for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” And he (the male angel) said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”
So all are true, and it is a social teaching, not Biblical teaching, that declares that angels are male only. I would suggest better Bible study prior to calling others on something that you aren’t truly sure of yourself…
God’s Word have I hid in my heart… this means to study it and memorize it, to find all answers through His guidance! We are merely the creation, and are stronger when we rely solely upon Him!
God bless!
– Rokrevthin (Rev., PhD)
Report Post »christos
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 10:27pm@ROKREVTHIN: O.K. yea right,none of you scholar‘s minister’s pastors,priest’s,layman agree on anything or everything about the bible,oh my goodness you people all have different version’s of most of the bible,Les Feldick,John & Matt Hagee,David Jeremiah,Joel Rosenberg,are excellent teacher’s,only 1 is a PHD. as yourself,+GOD+ refers to women as country’s also,like someone else commented,on here,no where did she read in the bible ANGEL‘S have partner’s,as you stated in Genesis,you said +GOD’S+ son’s saw the women were fair,SON’S=ANGEL’S,don’t think so,anyway I have a personal relationship with +JESUS+ and I do not possess a PHD, O.K. PEACE
Report Post »christos
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 8:28am@ROKREVTHIN: Just a footnote,BOOK–(DR.DAVID JEREMIAH—ANGELS) page 51–4th paragraph-(For example whenever gender is indicated in reference to angels in the Bible,they’re always masculine).Now is David Jeremiah wrong too highly un-likely,anyway,also I never claimed there is only one kind of angel,of course also I am thinking of +GOD’S+ HOLY angels,I also never said +JESUS+ can’t do anything +HE+ wants at any given time,I’m thinking you were not implying this to my comment,just to be clear,o.k PEACE
Report Post »PHILOSOPHERMOM
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:09amAccording to a news source from Britain (Daily Mail), Helen Beard is married, and she and her husband have two children with whom they were on holiday.
“Partner” being substituted universally is another good example of the use of language to progress an agenda. Over time, difference is eradicated and normative assessments are no longer possible. You can‘t call something wrong if you can’t call it at all.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 8:19amHmmmm, our ‘citizens’ shoot and murder Britians last week, they catch falling babies from the same race that murders Brits that take a wrong turn. Brits are good Obama supporters in Fla. BAD.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 8:07amThe Dallas Cowboys should sign her up. She’s better than anyone they have at receiver.
Report Post »Joelswork
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:39amThat would be like catching a 16 pound bowling ball going 35 mph….wow! Amazing how God uses the ones we would not pick to do things that are impossible…If a wide receiver from an nfl team were to do this, the glory would go to them and their “skills”….an older lady from brittan has her flat shoes on and is able to somehow catch this falling, flailing little person going 35 mph…Gotta be God!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:38amGreat story, and luckily for her, even though she’s British, and in Florida, she wasn’t robbed and murdered by one of our American minorities, like the two Brit guys in Sarasota were.
Report Post »dthej
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:02amPer Diane “The heroine is on vacation with her “partner”? Not husband or boyfriend? Does this mean that she is a homosexual? I guess it doesn’t really matter what her sexual preference is.” After posting my comment I read the posts here and the above quote was taken from one of them and makes my point.
Report Post »“Partner” is the media’s new catch word for everyone sharing a life together rather married, gay or not. This clever approach is subtle enough and is now being used throughout the media. The idea is for you and I, the reader to “accept” the gay union as no different than a heterosexual one.
Although I find someone else sexual preference none of my business, at the same time I wish the media felt the same regarding my personal convictions, a word won’t change that.
dthej
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:47amThis is a great story and another reason to thank God for positioning this woman at the right place at the right time.
Report Post »That aside I’ve been noticing a pattern of late regarding the national news media writing in subtleties to purport an agenda, with the idea to indoctrinate or push said agenda; for example I’ve noticed when the media refers to a couple, be it a husband and wife or a non married couple they use the word “partner” when this word was used before it was automatically believed the story revolved around a gay couple. Not anymore, now they lump all couples, whether married or not as “partners”..the idea, so far as I can see is that two people sharing their lives are simply partners, or no different than people who are married to each other.
They (the media) are attempting to create in the persons mind that regardless of if the two are gay or not are all the same-so that we as a society will view everyone without partiality. Good one media..I see you’re up to your old tricks.
What they don’t recognize is words are words but convictions are convictions, this above all else they simply don‘t get and won’t ever change regardless of how they’re labeled.
PaultheConsultant
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:45amThank you once again, Lord, for responsible white people there to watch humanity’s back.
Report Post »Anne G
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:40amWonder how much the child weighed? Just incredible that the woman caught the child without dropping her.
Report Post »Paul -Indiana
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 6:48pmJust as important was that she actually was directly beneath the child who was 40? feet up. That’s not easy to do.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:37amThe heroine is on vacation with her “partner”? Not husband or boyfriend? Does this mean that she is a homosexual? I guess it doesn’t really matter what her sexual preference is. She saved a child’s life. That’s what is important in this story.
Report Post »BarbWire
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:40amIn British, there is different vocabulary. Boot means the trunk of a car. Biscuit means cookie. Caravan means trailer. A coffin is simply a basket. A peg is a clothes pin. One cannot even fathom was “Partner” means, as if it’s the same as we speak in the USA. For all we know, Partner means husband. I‘d say don’t worry. They talk funny in England.
Report Post »BarbWire
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:43amI cannot tell if my reply was erased. What I said was that vocabulary is different in England. Partner might mean husband; who knows? They talk funny in England. We cannot expect to fully understand them or expect their inferences to be the same as ours in the USA.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 8:12am@DIANE TX ~~~
I did comment early on but it didn’t make the post for some reason. My comments were like yours, “partner”? boy, aged 10? I had questions, too, about a 20 year old mom of a 4 year old and a “sitter”, whatever, in a motel room with a balcony and door unlocked and opened?
I also asked, wondered, what attention and “rewards”, if any, this would have received had the angel been a white male with his wife (woman) and their own children.
This seems to be an orchestrated rescue in order to promote the homosexual lifestyle and to say how wonderful it is.
Something fishy about this story, folks. People do not receive awards quite so quickly after rescues. THINK!
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 8:44amIt could have read..“The heroine is on vacation with her ” lover “………..anyway….I always thought “partner” meant………business partner…but like Beck says……“The world is changing”….I’m just glad the child was saved!……….someone was not watching this child!
Report Post »conservativemom99
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:20amI don‘t see how the possible sexual orientation of the woman is of any consequence to the story and I don’t think it’s an interesting part. I’m tired of people getting their panties in a wad over what other people do in the bedroom…and dissecting terms used for “significant others”…I, personally, believe gay sex is wrong, but it’s not my business. Who cares? I think we make a big deal out of stuff and give those involved fuel to claim to be oppressed by society. We‘re so busy pointing out the speck in someone else’s eye that we can’t see the log in our own.
Report Post »rcw_68
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:16pm@KICKAGRANDMA—I doubt what you are suggesting is true. And if it is true…they all should be convicted and hanged.
Report Post »Vince Vega
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:37amOh yeah…how could you not draw that conclusion, especially considering you know nothing about anything surrounding the situation….troll.
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:50amDeadbrain That is just uncalled for.
Report Post »One Match Left
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:19amthat is pretty amazing! for those with kids, imagine if that was your kid and you were the parent in the situation! that is pretty amazing and breath taking. Yikes! wonderful though. whew!
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:59amShe must have had quite the adrenaline rush going. The child was traveling more than 20mph or about 40 feet per second. Quite the catch of a person/small child.
Report Post »macombman
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:46amIt’s nice to read a feel good story every once in a while.
Report Post »nothiefsallowed
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:42amI just get the weird feeling there is more to this story!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:42amWhat kind of a name is “Jah-Nea?”
Report Post »AmericasContract
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:50amEvidently its an English name. According to babynamesworld.com, it’s a form of Danae.
Report Post »PaultheConsultant
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:48amCandidly, ’tis a contemporary African-American-type, afro-centric, ethnicity-identifying naming convention.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:00pmThat was exactly the thought running thru my head!! Strange name!! Good story!
Report Post »http://wp.me/pYLB7-V0
wbaranowski
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:16pmThe name is So. Floridian. It means “Sha nee qua”. The tourists ARE partners. The had their tax returns with them. It showed that they are partners in a “green” windmill tax shelter scheme.
Report Post »MOTHERSMITH
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:47pmI knew a little girl in a town near mine who’s name is La–a. It is pronounced ladasha (la dash a). I am dead serious, that is her name La–a.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:36amAt least the British still know how to get off their butt and make a difference. All the American’s were trying to get their cell phones out to record it so they could post it on youtube. I’m glad the kid is allright.
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:47pmYou know, you have a point there! Glad this story had a very happy ending.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:25amIt is nice to know the English have angles. God put you in the right place at the right time…Thanks
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:32amIn most Americans eyes, she is most certainly a HERO!
Take the “best choice for POTUS” Poll…
Report Post »http://www.AmericasTeaPartyNews.com
grandmaof5
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:59amDAVE, like that website, thanks.
Report Post »1959
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:01am@thepariotdave Allen West gets my vote for best choice for POTUS!
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:16amLife is like a box of chocolates…
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:51amA good story with a happy ending
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:01amThePatriot – Allen West comes out the highest on that poll. Glad to see people like a strong, strong leader!! He has my vote.
Report Post »MEESHEL
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:08amThank you for saving a child. Thank you for immediately going with your instinct, rather than pausing in your action. Thank you for thinking ‘anyone would have done the same thing’ when, at least in this country, it has changed over the years. Thank you for giving everyone another reason to smile. Thank you.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:35amI know isn’t it amazing. It takes about less than 2 seconds to fall four stories, and the one year old had the wherewithal to hang on to the balcony while most other children just tumble down the stairs or off a chair with no regard to gravity, giving her enough time to get from pool-side to position herself to catch the child. Amazing.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:42amHey, wasn’t there a semi-invisible blob caught on a news camera trying to cross a road in England? And then there was that article a few months ago about a house in England with angels getting seen in it, and more stories than these. I think Britain might just be special.
Report Post »Nathaniel Horn
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:27amWoW. Yet another reason in an almost infinite string why Obama’s treatment of our soul mates, the English, is disgraceful and unforgivable.
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 11:03amI once heard of a man whose child was kidnapped and murdered comment on a story about another child who was kidnapped and returned because the parents had said their prayers were answered. All he had to say was “ we prayed too”.
Report Post »Larry Dishman
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 1:09pmEliasim, that blob crossing the road was water on the camera lens. There are no angels, no god(s), no spirits. Grow up and face reality.
Report Post »rcw_68
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 2:09pmThis is a great story. Glad the little girl is ok.
Regarding the other topic… I would love to see Allen West run for POTUS and WIN to shut the pieholes of all these race baiting wackos on the left.
Allen West and Herman Cain For POTUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »maumau
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:02pmgood thing it wasnt a kid other wise he might have gotten out his camera phone to film instead of running to help.
Report Post »lionslayer44
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 2:57amThank you God!!!!
Report Post »Love Bandit Bestid
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 11:06amThat’s a man, baby!
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho (leaving PA)
Posted on April 24, 2011 at 9:37pmAllen West voted for the Patriot Act extension and should be disqualified from being considered. What is wrong with you people? THINK!!!!
Those who would give up Essential Liberty
Report Post »to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Nick697
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:13pmANGLES?
And if she had tried but not quite managed to get there in time, would you have blamed god? If not, why not? You can’t have it one way and not the other. It always strikes me as profoundly odd when, for example, there is a plane crash or some other disaster, and a survivor says “god was looking out for me today,“ or ”someone up there was guarding me,” but they don’t see the sublime irony here. Ig you credit god with saving you and perhaps a handful of others, you have to accept that he decided the rest weren’t worth saving. One guy was interviewed on TV on 9/11 and said that he had been held up and was not in the WTC as he normally would have been, and “god had other plans for me.” But not, apparently, 3,000 other people. This all makes god into a kind of celestial Nero, giving thumbs up to some and thumbs down to others. It’s illogical and stupid.
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