Taxing Long Island
News12 New York
Download the App
Where to Watch
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
Stony Brook Medicine
FIFA World Cup

'She saved our son.' Commack school monitor saves second grader who was choking

Francesca Augello performed the Heimlich maneuver on Grayson Molina to stop him from choking.

News 12 Staff

Mar 12, 2024, 6:03 PM

Updated

Share:

Top Stories

A school monitor in Commack is being hailed a hero for saving a second grade student who was choking.

Francesca Augello says she noticed something was wrong during lunch Friday at Woods Park Primary School. Grayson Molina had just taken a bite of pizza and started choking.

"I am a mom of three and my instincts just kicked in," Augello says.

Augello performed the Heimlich maneuver on Molina to stop him from choking.

The second grader's parents met Augello Tuesday and say they are beyond grateful to her.

"Thank gosh she did what she would have done for her children - and she saved our son," said Grayson's mother, Alexa Molina. "And he ran off the bus that day and we were able to give him a hug."

Both of Grayson's parents say they hope this serves as a reminder to all caregivers to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices