HOUSTON – About 20 emergency responders were honored at Lone Star College for helping save Ayden Duarte, the 4-year-old boy who was attacked by his mother.
Ayden, dressed in his honorary firefighter's uniform, gave thanks to the men and women of the Cy-Fair Fire Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Memorial Hermann LifeFlight and emergency dispatchers, who all helped save his life. Ayden's father couldn't thank them enough.
"Thanks everyone for all the support, Harris County, EMS personnel, thank you for this right now. I have my boy because of y'all, thank you," said Andres Duarte.
The scene was far different from the moment in February when deputies said Ayden's mother, Jenea Mungia, attacked her son. Harris County sheriff's deputies said she stabbed him repeatedly, almost killing him. He spent weeks on life support, then was released from the hospital earlier this month.
The two deputies who helped stop Mungia's attack are happy to see Ayden smile.
"It's such a great feeling to see him in such great shape. He's smiling, he's laughing. He's being a kid again. It's fantastic," said Deputy Hewey Townley, with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Ayden's father is grateful these men and women gave him a fighting chance. And Ayden is, too.
"They saved my life," said Ayden.
Mungia received psychiatric treatment while in custody. She is currently in the Harris County Jail. Attorneys said there has been no indictment.