Liberator in Action: Lio Cundiff

Now and then, we read about someone’s actions that are so courageous it’s almost hard to believe. This incident occurred recently in Chicago, the Windy City. On this February morning, the winds were particularly sharp off the water at Belmont Harbor. Bundled against the cold, Lio Cundiff was on the phone with his aunt, wishing her a happy birthday, having no idea what was about to unfold.

As he talked to his aunt, he heard a scream and saw a stroller with an 8-month-old baby strapped inside being propelled by wind gusts straight into Lake Michigan. As the mother stood in shock, Lio threw off his jacket and jumped into the water, even though he couldn’t swim. “I realized the woman was in too much shock to do anything… So I thought, ‘I guess I’m going in.’”

The water was brutal. He reached the stroller and lifted it, straining to keep it above the surface. “I just held the stroller up. I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to keep her head above water.’ I was just trying to keep her safe. That was my only thought.” He didn’t know how long he could hold on. “If she’s going down, I’m going down with her,” he said. “I couldn’t live with myself if that baby hadn’t made it.”

People along the harbor moved quickly. One man held his jacket out to Lio so he could grab the sleeve while still holding the stroller. Then someone lowered a life ring, and others pulled them toward a ladder and helped lift them out. The baby was taken to the hospital and reported to be in good condition. Lio was monitored overnight and released the next day. “It was a team effort,” he said. “If it wasn’t for everyone being alert and helping, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

What transpired on that cold, windy Chicago morning could be considered a miracle. Bystanders pulled together to help Lio save this child’s life, and Lio’s quick thinking and selfless actions demonstrate his tremendous courage and determination, making him a true example of a liberator in action.