A grandfather died after jumping in freezing water to try to save his 10-year-old granddaughter who had fallen into a frozen pond.
Ma’Liyah White chased two of her six dogs out onto the pond while taking them for a walk with her sister, Bailey, of whom Carlos Serafin, 31, and his husband of six years Bill Croy, 47, have been the legal guardians for five years.
But tragedy struck when little Ma’Liyah fell through the ice thinking it could take her weight.
Bailey ran to their nearby house to get help and heroic Carlos jumped into the pond to try and save Ma'Liyah using a broom, but both were sucked under the ice.
Ma’Liyah is now fighting for her life in hospital after the tragedy on January 15 in Charleston, Illinois.
Writing on a GoFundMe page for the family, Ma’Liyah’s aunt Amanda Beals said: “My nieces Ma’Lyiah and Bailey were walking their six dogs just as they do every morning. The two little dogs ran onto the frozen pond and Ma’Lyiah thought it was solid enough for her as well. Unfortunately it wasn’t.
"Bailey ran up to the house and yelled that Ma’Lyiah had fallen into the pond. Both their Papa (Bill Croy) and Abuelo (Carlos Serafin) ran out to the pond. Carlos jumped into the pond with a broom stick to try and save Ma’Lyiah but she was already under the ice and he also got sucked under.
"Bill busted the ice to try and get to them both but couldn’t find them. The dogs were also in the pond trying to rescue all. 911 was called and the dive and rescue team was able to recover both Ma’Lyiah and Carlos along with one dog that didn’t make it, Horchata."
A rescue crew from Charleston Fire Department arrived soon after and managed to pull both grandfather and granddaughter from the ice, according to the Herald and Review.
The firefighters were called to the scene at 7.53am and had found and recovered both grandfather and granddaughter by 8.15am.
Medics were able to resuscitate Young Ma’Liyah, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Carlos could sadly not be revived and later died.
Amanda's entry on the GoFundMe page added that there medics are still worried Ma’Liyah’s brain might have been damaged during the horrific accident.
Amanda added: "The local hospital was able to get Ma’Lyiahs heart pumping again and she has been transported to Peoria in critical condition.
"The local hospital worked for a long time on Carlos and tried everything possible but unfortunately he was under the ice for too long and was not able to be revived.
"As of right now Ma’Lyiah is not showing any brain activity only seizures. Her heart and lungs are working but we are praying for a miracle.
"There is no life insurance and I know my brother needs one less thing to worry about right now. Every penny counts and is greatly appreciated."
Three dogs were also rescued from the pond but one of them, called Horchata, later died.
Speaking to the Herald and Review, Amanda said: “Carlos loved those girls and all of their dogs so much.
“We as a family can’t stress enough how much Carlos was a hero and how much he really loved his family and would do anything for them.”
You can donate to the family via the GoFundMe page.
