Charlotte County deputy honored for helping save toddler

CAPE CORAL, Fla. Quick action by a neighbor who works as a Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputy helped save a toddler hit by a van.

Courtney Elizabeth Acevedo accidentally backed into her daughter, then 17 months old, as she was pulling out of the driveway of their Cape Coral home on 4109 Northeast 15th Place in October. The girl suffered serious brain injuries and a fractured orbital bone, but she’s expected to recover.

That might not have been the case if not for Deputy First Class Bobby Beverly, who called 911 and tended to the girl after Acevedo knocked on his door. His heroism led the Florida Sheriff’s Association to name him 2017 Corrections Officer of the Year.

“There’s nothing I could say that would really express my gratitude for him,” Acevedo said. “This changed all of our lives.”

Beverly had just ended his overnight shift when Acevedo, with blood all over her face, knocked on his door. He grabbed a blanket and started assessing the girl to see what happened.

“At first, I was in shock,” Beverly said.

He stayed on the phone with 911 while emergency crews traveled to the scene, and he helped Acevedo keep the toddler awake so she wouldn’t lose consciousness. All the while, he tried to keep his composure as Acevedo’s other children reacted to what took place.

“They’re all screaming,” he said.

Beverly stayed with the children the rest of the day once emergency crews arrived and took the girl to Lee Memorial Hospital. The girl was later flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she stayed for five days.

And while Acevedo stayed with her injured daughter, Beverly and his wife cleaned up the blood left in the driveway.

“He really went above and beyond a good neighbor and an officer,” Acevedo said.

Check out the Florida Sheriff’s Association video about the encounter on Facebook:

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