Mom Who Died Saving Her 2 Kids in House Fire Receives Posthumous Medal: 'Everyone Is Calling Her a Hero'

Mar. 15, 2025

Giovanna Cabrera and Gabriel Peña.Photo:Go Fund Me

Go Fund Me

A Texas motherwho saved her two children from a house fire, but died attempting to save her infant son, has received a posthumous honor for her heroic efforts.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 3, a fire erupted in Cabrera’s home in Houston, and she quickly sprang into action to secure her 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter’s safety before going back inside to retrieve her 1-year-old son Gabriel Peña from his crib. Tragically, Cabrera and Gabriel both died in the fire.

The scene of the house fire that Giovanna Cabrera died in while saving her children.Chief Samuel Pena

Chief Samuel Pena

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Peña confirmed Cabrera and her son’s death ina post on X(formerly known as Twitter) writing at the time that Cabrera went back into her home to “rescue her child from the flames.”

“Our prayers & condolences to the family,” Chief Peña added.

Upon arriving at the scene, crews from the Houston Fire Department said “heavy fire conditions” were found, Peña confirmed at the time.

Cabrera’s two surviving children were placed in the care of their father following her death.

The Carnegie Medal is the highest honor for civilian heroism and recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant for being recognized, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund.

“And everyone is calling her a hero,” Bueno said. “I know that she’s just looking at us and she’s happy and proud, even though she didn’t make it, that everyone is trying to help.”

source: people.com