A seemingly ordinary event turned into a life-saving moment for a family in Colorado when a toddler accidentally dropped her baby sister. On September 20, 2024, Jewel, 27, had no idea that her 4-month-old daughter, Hazel, would be rushed to the hospital after her older sister, Harper, lost her grip while trying to pick Hazel up. This incident, while alarming, ultimately led to the discovery of a serious medical condition that may have gone unnoticed.
Jewel described the situation, stating, “Hazel was lying on her floor mat when I went to grab laundry out of the dryer. We lived in a small apartment, so I was less than 15 feet away from Hazel. Harper was kneeling next to her and tried to lift Hazel into her lap. Before I could stop her, Harper got Hazel approximately 12 inches off the ground and then lost her grip.” The fall prompted immediate concern, and despite their own assessment indicating Hazel appeared fine, they decided to take her to the hospital.
At the facility, Harper, now 4 years old, expressed profound remorse, apologizing to her sister and the medical staff multiple times. Hazel underwent an MRI scan and a full-body X-ray, both of which showed no injuries. Just before her discharge, however, a nurse detected alarmingly low oxygen levels in Hazel. At first, Jewel assumed it was a faulty monitor reading, but after further checks confirmed the issue, the family was quickly transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit.
Hazel remained in the ICU for a week and faced numerous hospital visits over the next eight months as her condition worsened. According to Jewel, each time Hazel caught a cold, it quickly developed into pneumonia. Doctors struggled to determine the cause of her persistent health problems, initially suspecting childhood interstitial lung disease. It wasn’t until March 2025, after a detailed brain MRI, that they diagnosed Hazel with several conditions resulting from a stroke she suffered while in utero.
“I was dumbfounded and angry,” Jewel reflected. “I had a lot of issues during the pregnancy, but none of my scans or wellness checks showed problems with Hazel.” Due to the early diagnosis, Jewel is hopeful that Hazel will face only minimal setbacks as she grows.
The accidental drop by Harper turned out to be a critical turning point. Jewel now considers it a “loving accident” that may have saved Hazel’s life. Had they not sought medical attention that night, doctors later informed the family that they “would have lost Hazel” shortly thereafter.
Jewel has since taken to social media to document Hazel’s journey, creating a platform to raise awareness and support. Her account, @hazelsheroeshomebase, has gained significant traction, with posts about Hazel’s experiences going viral, including one that received over 3.3 million views on TikTok. This outreach has not only fostered a supportive community but has also served as a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
“Harper still calls Hazel ‘her baby,’ and they have a fun, loving relationship filled with laughter and silliness,” Jewel shared. The family has embraced the term “Hazel’s Heroes,” recognizing the support from friends, family, and nearly 100,000 online followers who have rallied around their story.
As Hazel continues to progress, her family’s experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of health and the importance of vigilance. Jewel’s journey highlights how a moment of panic can lead to vital discoveries, ultimately changing the course of a child’s life.
