By Bemi Brooks 
Have you ever been jolted awake by a strange noise in the middle of the night? Your heart pounds, your mind races. Now, imagine being six years old, waking up to that sound, and finding yourself in a real-life nightmare. This is the stark reality that little Tia Hernlen faced one February night in 2005—a night that would test the limits of a child’s courage and ultimately reveal the profound depth of human compassion.
The story of Tia Hernlen isn’t just a tragic news headline from the past. It’s a powerful, human story about trauma, extraordinary composure, and the incredible way a community can wrap its arms around a wounded soul. It’s a story that asks a difficult question: Where do we find light when darkness falls? The answer, as we’ll see, lies in a child’s trembling voice and the kindness of strangers.
Before we delve into the remarkable aftermath, it’s important to understand the events that unfolded. On February 26, 2005, in DeLand, Florida, a domestic tragedy was unfolding. Julie Hernlen and her husband, Aeneas, were involved in a volatile separation. Despite a restraining order, Aeneas broke into their home and shot both Julie and himself. Tragically, both adults died at the scene.
Miraculously, their six-year-old daughter, Tia, was physically unharmed. She was in the house, hidden and terrified, as the unthinkable happened.
This is where the story shifts from pure tragedy to something more complex. In the silence following the violence, Tia found a telephone and did something that still astounds first responders and psychologists today: she called 911.
The recording of that call is a difficult but essential piece of the narrative. You hear the voice of a very small, very frightened child. Yet, amidst the tears and shaky breaths, there is an undeniable thread of composure.
- She Krew Her ABCs: When the dispatcher, Stacy Strickland, asked for her address, Tia, too young to know it, began reciting her ABCs. This wasn’t a non-sequitur; it was a desperate attempt to provide something she did know, a fragment of order in a world that had just shattered.
- She Provided Crucial Information: Through sobs, she was able to tell the operator, “My daddy shot my mommy, and my daddy shot my daddy.” She gave her first name and, crucially, confirmed she was alone in the house with her parents.
- She Followed Instructions: The dispatcher kept her on the line, a calming presence in the chaos, until help could arrive.
This wasn’t just a emergency call; it was a masterpiece of childhood resilience. Under the most extreme trauma imaginable, a kernel of survival instinct and incredible bravery took over. It was this single act that set the stage for everything that followed.
With both parents gone, Tia was left an orphan. The immediate question was, what would happen to her? She had no immediate family able to take her in. It’s at this precipice of despair that the story of Tia Hernlen transforms once more, becoming a testament to community.
The local community in Volusia County, and eventually people across the country who heard her story, were moved to act. It wasn’t an organized, top-down effort at first. It was a grassroots wave of empathy.
- The Guardians: A family friend, Vernon Pumphrey, and his wife, who Tia called “Aunt Vern,” became her legal guardians. They provided the stable, loving home she desperately needed.
- Financial Support: A trust fund was established for Tia’s future education and care. Donations poured in from neighbors, local businesses, and complete strangers who had been touched by her plight. The local sheriff’s office and the 911 dispatchers’ union were among the first to contribute.
- Emotional Safeguarding: The community and media largely respected her privacy. While her story was public, efforts were made to shield her from the relentless spotlight, allowing her a chance at a normal childhood.
This wasn’t just about money or a roof over her head. It was about a collective decision: We will not let this child face the future alone.
This is the question everyone naturally asks. How does a child recover from such a profound loss?
While out of respect for her privacy, detailed public updates are scarce, we know that the foundation of community support made a monumental difference. Reports from the years following the tragedy indicated that Tia was thriving under the care of her guardians. She was described as a happy, well-adjusted child, involved in school and activities—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of a secure environment.
The legacy of her story extends beyond her personal recovery. Her 911 call is still used in training dispatchers, teaching them how to communicate with terrified children. Her story remains a poignant case study in childhood trauma and resilience.
Tia Hernlen’s story is more than a historical account; it’s a narrative filled with hard-won lessons about humanity.
- Resilience Can Be Found in the Smallest Places. We often underestimate the inner strength of children. Tia’s story reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. Her simple act of picking up the phone and reciting her ABCs was an act of immense bravery.
- Community is a Active Verb. The support for Tia wasn’t passive sympathy. It was an active, tangible force. It shows that when tragedy strikes, the collective action of a community—whether through donation, guardianship, or simply respecting privacy—can create a safety net that truly saves a life.
- Your Voice Matters, No Matter How Small. Tia’s quiet, trembling voice on the phone set in motion a chain of events that saved her life and inspired thousands. It’s a powerful reminder that we should never doubt the impact of speaking up, even when we feel small and scared.
The story of Tia Hernlen is a difficult one, but it’s not without hope. It’s a stark portrait of the worst of humanity, framed by the very best of it. It challenges us to look for the helpers, as Mr. Rogers famously said, and better yet, to be one.
What are your thoughts on community-led support in times of crisis? Have you ever witnessed or been part of a similar outpouring of help? Share your stories in the comments below.
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Q: How old was Tia Hernlen when the tragedy occurred?
A: Tia Hernlen was six years old at the time of the incident in February 2005.
Q: Who did Tia Hernlen live with after her parents’ deaths?
A: She was taken in by family friends, Vernon “Aunt Vern” Pumphrey and his wife, who became her legal guardians.
Q: Is the 911 call from Tia Hernlen available to the public?
A: Yes, the 911 call is a matter of public record and has been featured in news reports and training seminars. It is publicly available but contains deeply distressing content.
Q: What happened to the trust fund set up for Tia?
A: The trust fund was established to cover her long-term care, education, and future needs. It was managed for her benefit, though specific details about its use remain private to protect her.
Q: Where is Tia Hernlen today?
A: Out of respect for her privacy and her chance at a normal life, her current whereabouts and personal details are not publicly known. It is understood that she is an adult living a private life.
Q: Why is Tia Hernlen’s story still remembered?
A: Her story is remembered for her incredible composure as a child, the tragic circumstances of her parents’ deaths, and the powerful example of community support that surrounded her, making it a lasting narrative about resilience and compassion.
Q: Did the 911 dispatcher receive any recognition?
A: Dispatcher Stacy Strickland was widely praised for her calm and effective handling of the call, which was crucial in guiding first responders to the scene and keeping Tia as calm as possible.