Baby caught during fall from hotel balcony

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 1-year-old child survived a fall from a fourth-floor hotel balcony by landing in the arms of a British tourist, according to a police report released Thursday.

"I'm thanking the Lord above right now for saving my child's life. I'm also thanking that lady because she was an angel sent from heaven," said the girl's mother, Helena Myles, 20.

Helen Beard, 44, of Worksop, England, told investigators she was at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites pool shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday when she saw a small child dangling from the balcony.

Beard said she ran to a spot directly under Jah-Nea Myles and watched as the toddler fell, striking the third-floor balcony on her way down.

Beard said she caught Jah-Nea and broke her fall before the child slipped from her arms and hit the ground. Paramedics took Jah-Nea to the hospital.

"She's perfectly fine. Not a scratch on her body," her mother said.

Myles told investigators that she had left her daughter in the care of the friends.

-- Reuters