SOUTH POINT — The heroic actions of a South Point man are garnering him praise from around the world.

Aaron Cahal, 23, who has autism and is unable to speak, was at his home on May 8, where he lives with his parents, when he heard screaming coming from the street behind the family’s home.

Aaron left his back yard and began walking, trying to figure out the cause of the cries to try to help. As he walked, he texted his father who was still at home, telling him he heard a “scary cry” and that police were needed.

As he walked, he began taking pictures of houses on the street, as well as an apartment complex, sending them to South Point police through its Facebook page, with the message “big crying people, scary people.”

By the time Steve Cahal, Aaron’s father, who was still at home, realized something was going on outside, police were already alerted to the developing incident, Lorena Cahal, Aaron’s mother said.

“He was texting police and sending photos of the location,” she said.

At the apartment complex, the cries for help were coming from the father of an 18-month-old who had fallen into a pool and was believed drowned.

Thanks to Aaron’s texts, police were able to identify the complex from the photo and arrive on the scene with EMS in time for CPR to be delivered to the child, who was taken to the hospital and is now recovering.

Lorena Cahal, who is a family advocate for the Lawrence County Early Childhood Academy, said the family has received positive feedback from around the world, as news of the event began to circulate. Aaron’s story was picked up by outlets such as People magazine, Inside Edition, the Glenn Beck Program and others.

“We’ve heard from people in Scotland, Canada and Mexico,” she said. “It shows a positive aspect of autism. I’ve had messages from parents who are inspired by this.”

She said the incident also demonstrates the need for children to learn safety lessons in the public schools.

She said that while Aaron was unaware at the time as to what was happening at the apartment complex, he has since been informed of how the situation played out.

He asks her how “the baby” is doing, she said.

“He knows he has done something good,” she said. “And he knows people call him a hero.

She said that she has since friended the parents of the rescued child on Facebook, and has learned that the toddler is “looking better each day.”

Aaron attends the Sybene Adult Center in Burlington and works at Tri-State Industries, where he goes into the community and performs various jobs, such as stocking flowers at the local Food Fair, she said.

Lorena Cahal said the family has been overwhelmed with positive messages since the rescue.

“It’s amazing how people respond in such a way,” she said. “It just shows that, if you have a disability, you can still do something extraordinary.