10-Year-Old Boy Honored for Saving Toddler in Pool

Austan Wheeler, 10, was honored as a hero Friday for rescuing a 2-year-old-girl from drowning last month.

Austan was swimming on Sept. 14 in a private pool when he saw what looked like a doll at the bottom of the pool, said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Brian Jordan. Austan dove down and pulled Shiloh Stager, who was unconscious, out of the pool, Jordan said.

“When the boy got the girl out of the pool, he was calling for the adults,” Jordan said. “She could have possibly died.”

Shiloh’s mother, Heidi Stager, helped perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Jordan said. Paramedics arrived within four minutes, followed by an ambulance, he said.

The toddler regained consciousness and was taken to Harbor General Pediatrics. She was released within 24 hours and is doing fine, Jordan said.

Austan was recognized Friday by the County Fire Department at the Rolling Hills Estates City Hall. He briefly got to ride on a fire truck. Shiloh, who is a neighborhood friend of Austan’s, and her mother also attended the ceremony.