Helendale ‘Miracle Baby’ Earns Diploma After Surviving the Unthinkable

Braylynn Rego, known as the Helendale ‘miracle baby,’ graduated from Academy of Careers & Exploration on May 28, 2026, 18 years after a near-drowning incident left her with mild cerebral palsy. - Survived floating face-down in less than two inches of bathwater in December 2008.

- Doctors warned she might never speak or see; she opened her eyes the day after being taken off a ventilator. - Graduated as a two-time honor roll student, played flag football, basketball, and softball.

- Plans to study online at Victor Valley College to become a special education teacher. Her father Raymond expressed deep gratitude to first responders, saying their actions saved more than one life that day.