Delaware County teen honored after pulling two children from smoking car
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Summary
Hayden Delong was presented a citizen-hero award by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office after he stopped at a March 3 crash, called 911 and removed two young children from a smoking vehicle; hospital staff and the family described the children’s injuries and ongoing recovery.
Hayden Delong, who turned 17 during the ceremony, was presented with a citizen-hero award by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office after he stopped at a March 3 motor-vehicle crash on Cornbread Road, called 911 and pulled two young children from a smoking car.
Jeff Stanley, chief deputy of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, opened the event in Judge Judy Calhoun’s courtroom and described what happened at the scene. "Hayden was the first one that drove up on the scene," Stanley said. "He called 911, assessed the situation, and got them out of the vehicle and put them in a car where they were safe until other personnel arrived." Stanley said the office organized the presentation to recognize Delong's quick actions.
Sheriff Tony Skinner read a formal citation praising Delong for "extraordinary courage, selflessness, and compassion demonstrated during a critical incident in Delaware County, Indiana." The citation says Delong’s actions "directly contributed to the safety and survival of the two young lives." Skinner presented the award and noted the ceremony coincided with Delong’s birthday.
Amy, who read a prepared note during the ceremony, praised Delong’s "bravery" and "selflessness," saying the decision to call 911 and remove the children "will be remembered for a lifetime." Delong, visibly modest, told the room he was "off guard" by the attention and briefly thanked those present.
A hospital staff member described the arrival of the two children as a trauma activation that required CT imaging, x-rays and laboratory work. According to the mother speaking at the ceremony, the older child, Blakely, suffered a broken left arm and a compressed spinal fracture; the younger child, Brynn, also has a compressed spinal fracture, bruised lungs, a concussion and a small brain bleed and is expected to wear a brace for about eight weeks. The mother said she was hospitalized as well and reported three broken ribs, a bruised lung and other injuries; she told the assembled guests that the family is "eternally grateful" to Delong and continues to pray for the other family involved in the crash.
Those at the ceremony repeatedly emphasized that Delong’s decision to act and to call emergency services made an immediate difference at the scene. The sheriff’s office presented the citation "this March 2026" to recognize his actions. No policy decisions or formal government actions were taken at the event; it was a recognition ceremony and family gathering held in the courtroom.
The family and hospital staff said the children remain in care and are in recovery; the mother urged continued prayers for all involved. The sheriff’s office plans no further public action tied to the award and closed the brief ceremony after the presentations.
