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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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Friday, May 24 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:29:01 GMT
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted.
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Southfield Fire Chief Keith Rowley (Credit: WJBK)
