Urgency at the hospital doors
On May 25, 2025, Steffany and her family rushed to Rady Children’s, seeking immediate help for her daughter, Lia, who had suddenly begun convulsing in the car.
“We were frantic,” Steffany recalls. “As we pulled into valet parking, Lia was starting the convulsions.” Her eyes had rolled back. Her face was blue. She was unconscious in the back seat.
Trusting the right place
Despite having out-of-network insurance, Steffany’s father insisted they go to Rady Children’s because of its specialized pediatric care. “My dad loves CHOC, now Rady Children’s,” she said. “He knew they’d know what to do.”
A cry for help
They didn’t wait to park. Steffany’s family braked in front of the main double doors and jumped out, calling out to Security Officer Elijah Lindahl: “My baby!”
“Elijah saw the urgency and took charge right away,” Steffany said. “He grabbed my daughter from our arms and immediately went straight to the emergency room.”
Calm in the chaos
A former Marine, Elijah, relied on his training to stay calm under pressure. With a clear sense of duty and quick decision-making, he ran Lia into the Emergency Department without hesitation.
Swift medical response
Medical staff quickly intervened. “They checked her pulse, prepped her for an IV, and continued to monitor her. Thank God, Lia responded quickly,” Steffany said.
Answers and relief
Lia had experienced a febrile seizure caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) that had escalated rapidly. “She went from no fever to a really high fever in a short amount of time,” Steffany explained. “Even though we gave her fever-reducing medication before she began convulsing, the doctor told me her body would have reacted that way regardless, because of the infection.”
The bluish discoloration of her skin, called cyanosis, was a sign of low oxygen in the blood and required immediate intervention. Thanks to Elijah’s quick thinking and the team’s rapid response, Lia was stabilized and sent for further testing.
“She was transferred to another room where they ran many tests to identify the cause,” Steffany said. “She cleared her UTI thanks to antibiotics administered in the office and prescribed at home, and she’s been thriving ever since!”
Lia today
Today, Lia is a vibrant two-and-a-half-year-old. “She’s full of energy and very social,” Steffany said. “She enjoys playing with her sister and all her friends. We’re so happy to see her growing healthy and strong.”
A mother’s gratitude
Steffany remains deeply grateful for the support she received that day. “I am beyond thankful for Elijah,” she said. “He is an angel sent from heaven to me in that exact moment, and I will be forever grateful.”
A well-earned honor
In November 2025, Elijah was named Officer of the Year by the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety Southern California region—selected from 48 candidates.
Steffany’s reaction to the news? “I have chills. That made my day. He really deserves it.”
