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| Universal Studios Orlando |
Helen Beard was at the poolside when she heard a scream and saw 16-month-old Jah-Nea Myles dangling from the top floor balcony.
She leapt up and positioned herself beneath the toddler just in time to catch her.
Now data analyst Helen, 46, on holiday in Orlando with her partner and 10-year-old son, has been awarded the Orange County Sheriff Office's Medal of Merit.
She's also received awards from a local chamber of commerce and the Florida State Department of Children and Family Services.
In addition, the chamber have given the family passes and 100 dollar gift certificates to Orlando's SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Walt Disney World theme parks.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said: "It is certainly one of the most remarkable stories of the year."
Helen, of Worksop, Nottinghamshire, said she did not consider herself a hero.
She said: "It felt like it was something anyone would have done and I feel honoured to be recognised in this way."
Jah-Nea was not seriously hurt, though she did hit her head on the rail of a third-floor balcony during the fall.
Her mother, Helena, 20, said Jah-Nea was being watched by a friend who said she had been in the bathroom at the time of the incident.
Police said no criminal charges were pending.
But children's department officials said they had launched an investigation.
