Mother meets paramedics who helped deliver baby during Hurricane Harvey

Corpus Christi, TX — Friday is a very special fifth birthday for Catalaya Rose Garza and her parents. She was born in the midst of Hurricane Hervey. Thanks to KRIS 6 News, we were able to reunite with her parents and paramedics who helped Kataleya give birth.

“It’s an honor to meet you. You’ve grown so much since we last met,” Captain Eric Sawyer greeted Kataleya for the first time.

Isabel Pena gave birth at home on August 26, 2017 at 3am. It was her sister-in-law Jennifer Pena who gave birth to Catalaya, but she wasn’t breathing at first. That’s when paramedics arrived, made their way through the storm, and took her mother and daughter to the hospital.

On Friday they met again for the first time since that night.

“It means everything to know who they were, because I couldn’t thank them properly,” Isabel said.

“Yeah, it was so fast that I could barely see her face.

“Oh, that means tons.

Sawyer recalls driving Hurricane Harvey with fellow first responders Mike Alexander and Brandon Lott. he said it was terrible.

“I think at the time they were allowed to take certain calls just because it was windy, so it was pretty tough to get there,” he said.

Due to the hurricane, Pena’s house had no electricity. They used cell phone lights to deliver catalaya.

“When I tell people I had a baby in Hurricane Harvey, they look at me like I’m lying. (No) And I’m not lying. I gave birth to my niece.” I did,” said Jennifer.

Now Kataleya and her aunt share a special bond. Jennifer said she is even on her official record as the person who delivered Catalaya.

“I will explain to her when she grows up,” Isabel said. “I have clippings from that day.”

Now that the paramedics and Pena have become acquainted, she hopes to keep in touch, especially around Kataleya’s birthday.

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