Heroic teacher recognized for saving kindergartener

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — A mother in Alexander County is calling an elementary school teacher her guardian angel after saving her kindergartener's life.

"We're so blessed, so blessed.  I just think God knew where Kyler needed to be at that time," said Alisha Bebber.

That teacher -- Leah Robinson -- revived 5-year-old Kyler Bebber after he collapsed and his heart stopped beating near his kindergarten classroom last February.

Robinson, a Physical Education teacher, and others at Ellendale Elementary School scrambled to get to the 5-year-old after he collapsed in a school hallway.

"No pulse, no breathing, no pulse. (He was) on the floor," said Robinson.

The teacher opened up an automated external defibrillator, recently purchased for the school, and followed the voice commands.

She and others at the school had gone through training because Kyler was born with a heart defect that placed him at a greater risk for heart problems. But they never thought they'd have to put that training to use.

Robinson shocked Kyler and then performed two minutes of CPR.

"During the last 15 seconds of CPR he kind of turned red a little bit. I could tell he was coming too. All of the sudden he started crying. It was just the best thing in the world," Robinson said.

On Wednesday morning, Robinson was recognized by deputies for her heroic actions.

Kyler returned to school full time this week after being out for more than a month. He received a pacemaker defibrillator.

At some point, he will need a heart transplant. His parents encouraged other schools to invest in the life-saving equipment and said they will never forget what Robinson and others did for their boy.

"I just think God laid everything out for the right people to be here at the right time, to save my child," said Alisha.

"If it wasn't for them, he might not be here today," said Shaun Bebber.

Flyers have gone up across the area and sheriff deputies in Alexander County have organized a Chick-Fil-a fundraiser to help Kyler's family with medical expenses.

That fundraiser is set for Thursday and anyone wanting to help Kyler and his family can call the Sheriff's Office at 828-632-1111.

WSOC