Three-year-old girl unlocks cellphone, saves pregnant mom

A Weymouth, Massachusetts, toddler was honoured by her local police station this week for saving her mom's life.

On the morning of February 10, three-year-old Aryanna Lynch was at home with her mom Tiffany, 33, and little sister Camryn, 1, when she noticed something was wrong.

Tiffany, who was eight months pregnant at the time, had fallen off the couch following a dizzy spell. She remained unconscious for about 20 minutes.

Aryanna knew exactly what to do: she called Tiffany's cousin, Kristine Munnis, who Aryanna knows as "auntie."

And even though no one had taught her the password to her mom's cellphone, she managed to unlock the phone and make the call.

"She's such a sponge," proud dad Kevin, 34, said earlier this week. "She's such a smart kid. I think she's seen my wife using the phone she just memorized it, and when she needed to know it, she just knew what to do."

Aryanna, however, insists the phone opened "all by itself."

When Munnis didn't pick up, Aryanna left a tearful message:

"Auntie, call me. Mommy's not waking up. I need you."

Munnis got the message, called 911, and then returned the little girl's call. Aryanna, dressed in a Snow White costume, opened the door for paramedics, stayed calm and took care of her baby sister throughout the ordeal.

Tiffany was hospitalized for three days, Kevin told TODAY.

At the time of Tiffany's medical emergency, Kevin was in the emergency room with a severe stomach bug. He had no idea his wife was also ill. Doctors believe Tiffany, who appeared to have the same bug, suffered a seizure brought on by severe dehydration.

Aryanna's call likely saved her life.

"I still can't believe this story," Tiffany told the Boston Globe. "I cry every time someone asks me about it."

On Wednesday, Aryanna was honoured for her life-saving actions at the Weymouth police station with a citation from the mayor, a safety officer's award, a scholarship to the Early Childhood Preschool and Learning Center in Weymouth, and a basket of toys.

Aryanna is especially excited about going to preschool and making new friends, her mom said.

"When a child acts so responsibly, it's just a delight to hear," said Weymouth Police Chief Richard Grimes at the ceremony, before presenting Aryanna with her award from the mayor.

"Your quick response and undeniable concern for your mother's well-being has made an everlasting impression on many of us," Grimes read out. "Weymouth is proud of you for being an outstanding citizen, and commends you for your bravery."

"I've been trying, since she was about 2, whenever we go down a street, she knows what street we’re off of and she knows her address. I've been trying to get her to know that stuff for about a year now. It really worked," Tiffany told CBS Boston.

"I'm extremely proud of her. We all are. We took her out to dinner and she had her own little day and today she gets to have a day. It’s very exciting for her."

The day following the ceremony, Tiffany gave birth to her third daughter, Ashlynn-Lee. Mother and child are both doing well.