Potawatomi boy acted quickly during tornado

Monday, October 29, 2007  

A fast-moving Potawatomi boy in Michigan made sure the kids in his family's foster home were safe during a recent tornado.

Derrek Collett, 7, heard the tornado sirens on October 18 and quickly rushed a 2-year-old foster girl to the basement. He then helped two special needs kids, ages 4 and 5, get to the basement to wait out the storm.

Derrek's mother, Carol, was surprised by her son's actions. Derrek said he knew what to do after watching his father.

"My dad (Jimmy) did it before when there was another storm," Derrek told The Dowagiac News.

The Collett family runs the only foster home licensed by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Carol Collett works at the tribe's new casino.

Get the Story:
Boy, 7, knew just what to do when siren sounded (The Dowagiac News 10/29)