5-year-old makes ‘critical’ call to Skokie 911 during mom’s medical emergency

On Wednesday evening, a 5-year-old girl was awarded the Citizen Award, the Skokie Police Department's highest honor for citizens. Her act of bravery? Calling 911 when her mother, Jessica Reddick, was having a medical emergency, delivering paramedics to their home in time to save her.

Zoey Reddick, Jessica Reddick's daughter, sprang into action one day in May when her mother had a seizure. The 5-year-old was able to call 911 calmly to tell emergency police dispatchers that her mother needed help. Jessica Reddick, who suffers from an autoimmune disease, says she had previously taught her daughter what to do in emergency circumstances.

"It was very critical," Jessica Reddick said. "The paramedics said my pulse was a little faint, so it could have turned (out) completely different."

Jessica Reddick said she taught Zoey how to handle an emergency by remaining calm and teaching her family's names, phone numbers, addresses and birthdays.

"It's very imperative that I implemented (Zoey) with information on how to handle an emergency," she said. "I may not be here to share what happened in her heroism."

For her efforts, police presented Zoey Reddick the Citizen Award for bravery at the Skokie Police Department on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Jessica Reddick says Zoey fully appreciates her efforts in saving her mother, and feels blessed.

"She's an amazing kid. Her dad and I are extremely proud of her; she's done amazing things," Jessica Reddick said. "How can you repay a kid who you gave life to, and then she gives you a second chance at life?"