Mother Katie Fattel recalls baby Cassian’s miracle recovery from near-fatal drowning

At 18-months-old baby Cassian’s heart stopped after a near-fatal drowning accident – but despite all odds he fought for his life.

Four-year-old Cassian has defied all odds after surviving a near fatal drowning accident which left him without a heartbeat for nearly 45 minutes.

For mother Katie Fattel, 41, it is painful to go back to the moment when Cassian – the youngest of nine children – was found in the backyard pool of their Woodville property in 2021.

Cassian was 18-months-old at the time of his accident and he suffered from cardiac arrest where his heart stopped beating for 45 minutes.

He was resuscitated and then rushed into pediatric intensive care for an induced coma, but the family was informed that Cassian’s chance of survival was low as he had gone too long without oxygen.

Ms Fattel and her army veteran husband Theodore Fattel, 52, had to prepare to lose their little boy.

Cassian in hospital after drowning accident in 2021. Picture: Katie Fattel

Katie Fattel with Cassian at Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Picture: Katie Fattel

Theodore Fattel holding Cassian in his arms. Picture: Katie Fattel

“He wasn’t supposed to survive; we were told on the third or fourth day after his accident that according to the MRI his injuries were unlikely to be survivable,” the mother said.

“We had to prepare ourselves for him to pass away and we got him baptised in hospital.

After that, Cassian had come out of the coma and was taken off the ventilator.

“I burst into tears, it was so emotional … my heart froze in my chest” Ms Fattel said.

“They gave us ‘the talk’ and said everything could collapse if his muscle tone was badly affected. He might forget to breathe when no longer stimulated by the tube or he might have lost his ability to swallow.

“We had to give our wishes on whether we would like him re-intubated if the extubation failed or whether we would keep him comfortable and let nature take its course.”

But Cassian came out on top again.

The little boy was able to regain some of his cognitive ability and he could recognise people, appropriately react to situations and generally be aware of his surroundings.

“He smiled for the first time about three months after the accident and that was such an incredible moment,” Ms Fattel recalled.

“That was the first glimpse we got that our little boy was still in there; now he looks from side-to-side to find us and he smiles and laughs in all the right moments.”

Cassian has been left with lifelong consequences and suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy, visual impairment, epilepsy, gastroparesis and inability to walk, speak or eat without assistance.

Cassian’s survival went against science – which is why his family is prepared to do whatever it takes, no matter the burden on them or the cost.

“Clearly, he wants to be here and he’s fought everyday since that moment to achieve the little things,” the mother said.

The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a modified van that can accommodate Cassian’s wheelchair – to offer relief to Ms Fattel and provide Cassian mobility.

Originally published as Mother Katie Fattel recalls baby Cassian’s miracle recovery from near-fatal drowning