A Colorado mother's initial panic turned into relief when her toddler's accidental drop of her baby sister ended up saving the infant's life. In September 2024, Jewel Hee was doing laundry when she caught her three-year-old daughter, Harper, trying to pick up four-month-old baby Hazel. Before she could react, Harper dropped Hazel from about a foot off the ground. Terrified that Hazel might have been seriously injured, Hee rushed her to the hospital, where a full-body X-ray revealed no broken bones. However, a nurse discovered Hazel's extremely low oxygen levels, which can lead to brain death. Doctors believed Hazel might have had a lung infection and prescribed antibiotics, but her health continued to decline over the next several months. An MRI scan in May 2025 revealed Hazel had suffered a stroke during pregnancy, which would have gone undetected had Hee not initially rushed her daughter to the hospital. This stroke, caused by a blood clot in Hee's placenta, led to Hazel's low oxygen levels, developmental delays, and feeding issues. While Hee is grateful that Harper saved Hazel's life, she urges parents to seek immediate medical care if anything seems off and is pushing for more thorough screening from doctors. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions and pushing for more through screening to catch potential issues early. Hazel now receives oxygen therapy, wears braces on her feet to help with strength, and uses a feeding tube as a result of the stroke.
