Nine-year-old twin sisters in Michigan proved that heroism comes in all sizes when they spotted a motionless 4-year-old at the bottom of an apartment pool and immediately sprang into action to save her life.
See the video further down this report.
Story Highlights
- Twin sisters Ava and Addison Apostolopoulos rescued a drowning 4-year-old from the bottom of a Wixom apartment pool on June 27, 2025.
- Maintenance worker Cody Boyette performed life-saving CPR after being alerted by the twins, successfully reviving the child before paramedics arrived.
- All three heroes were formally recognized by the Wixom City Council and the police chief on July 25 for their quick thinking and brave actions.
- The incident highlights the critical importance of CPR training and constant vigilance around swimming pools, especially where children are present.
Young Heroes Take Swift Action
Ava and Addison Apostolopoulos were visiting their grandmother at Hillside Apartments in Wixom when they noticed something terrifying. A 4-year-old girl lay motionless at the bottom of the pool. Without hesitation, Ava dove down and brought the unconscious child to the surface while her twin sister, Addison, ran for adult help. The girls’ quick recognition of danger and immediate response likely made the difference between life and death.
This remarkable display of awareness and courage from children so young demonstrates the kind of character and values that strong families instill. These girls were raised to act when others need help, not to stand by as passive observers. Their parents clearly taught them to take responsibility for their community, values that seem increasingly rare in today’s society.
Maintenance Worker’s Training Proves Vital
Cody Boyette, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex, responded immediately when alerted by the twins. His CPR training became the critical factor in saving the child’s life. Boyette performed chest compressions and rescue breathing, successfully reviving the girl before emergency services arrived. The child began breathing again thanks to his skilled intervention and refusal to give up.
Boyette later emphasized how quickly these situations can turn dangerous, stating that “You look away for a second, stuff can change in the matter of a blink of an eye.” His words serve as a sobering reminder that drowning can happen silently and rapidly, making constant supervision and emergency preparedness absolutely essential around any body of water.
Community Recognition and Leadership Response
Wixom Police Chief Phil Langmeyer and the city council formally honored all three rescuers during a July 25 ceremony. Chief Langmeyer declared with confidence, “I have no doubt in my mind that these three people saved a young child’s life.” The recognition serves not only to honor their heroism but also to highlight the importance of community vigilance and emergency preparedness to other residents.
This type of community leadership and public recognition reinforces positive values and encourages others to step up when faced with emergencies. Local authorities rightly celebrated these heroes rather than focusing on liability concerns or bureaucratic obstacles that too often dominate public discourse today.
Broader Implications for Pool Safety
The incident underscores critical gaps in pool safety protocols that property managers and families must address. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among young children, with most incidents occurring in residential pool settings. The fact that a 4-year-old could reach the bottom of a pool unnoticed, even briefly, raises questions about adequate supervision and safety measures.
Boyette’s CPR training proved decisive in this case, highlighting the urgent need for widespread first aid education. Every apartment complex, school, and community organization should prioritize CPR certification for staff and residents. These skills save lives, and as this incident proves, emergencies don’t wait for professional first responders to arrive. American families and communities must take responsibility for their own safety and preparedness rather than assuming someone else will handle the crisis.
Sources:
WXYZ Detroit: 9-year-old twin sisters save young girl from drowning at Wixom apartment pool
