Southfield Fire Chief Keith Rowley is investigating the tragic death of 10-year-old Xavier Joe. His mother said EMS didn't respond quickly enough to their calls for help.
"Our hearts go out to Miss Joe, and we can't imagine the heartache and grief the family must be feeling," said Rowley.
He is seeking answers for the family of Xavier Joe. The boy had an asthma attack Monday night at his home at the Providence Place apartment complex, which is just a half mile from the hospital and a mile from the nearest fire house. However, no one could get to Xavier in time to save him.
On Tuesday, Danielle Joe shared her family's tragedy with Fox 2. Xavier had asthma attacks before. He had all the medications. They tried everything, but still he couldn't breathe. His mother called 911 and said she was routed to Oak Park instead of Southfield dispatch. When she reached Southfield, she was put on hold waiting and waiting all the while trying to comfort her son.
"The EMS said they could not find an EMS for my son," Xavier's mother said.
A neighbor tried to get Xavier into her car since his mother doesn't have a vehicle, but the boy collapsed. The neighbor did CPR. Paramedics did arrive, intubated Xavier, started an IV, took him to the hospital and continued CPR.
Xavier died. Now the question is how could this happen?
The chief said part of the problem was so many resources were tied up at a house fire. Neighbors thought a mother and her children were trapped inside. Fortunately no one was inside, but the search and fighting the fire contributed to the delay in getting to Xavier.
"We take this very seriously. Our normal response time is approximately four minutes," Rowley said.
The chief said an investigation is underway, but it appears it took 15 minutes from the time dispatch was notified to get a paramedic on scene. The chief said they do have mutual aid and it's not clear yet why it took so long to get EMS to Xavier, but he is determined to find out.
Xavier Joe's funeral will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6 at the Fellowship Chapel Church on West Outer Drive in Detroit. His viewing will be October 5 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pye Funeral Home.
If you would to help Xavier's family, a benefit will be held at the Opyum Lounge on Thursday, September 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The Opyum is located at 24587 Eight Mile Road in Detroit. There is a $10 charge at the door.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
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Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
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Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
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Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Southfield Fire Chief Keith Rowley (Credit: WJBK)
