Teen Declared Dead From Cardiac Arrest Brought Back to Life After Mom Prays for Him

A Texas teen who went into cardiac arrest was brought back to life after his mother prayed for him.

In an exclusive interview with People, Jennifer Berko and Craig Berko, the parents of Sammy Berko, 16, recalled the moment he went limp while rock climbing with his friends at a gym on Jan. 7.

A radiologist happened to be present when Sammy Berko, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition called catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), fell unconscious.

“It’s a very shocking diagnosis,” Jennifer Berko explained. “What we’ve been told about CPVT is usually your first cardiac arrest is your last.”

The doctor then performed two hours of CPR on the teen and he was rushed to Texas Children’s Hospital where doctors continued to perform life-saving measures on him. However, he was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m.

His parents recalled being told to say their last goodbyes to their son.

“They said, ‘We’re so sorry, we can’t do anything else,’” Craig Berko explained

Jennifer Berko said she remembered telling her son how much she loved him and started to pray.

After she prayed over him, Sammy Berko suddenly began to move. Craig Berko called for a doctor who rushed him to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU), initially believing his movement was only a reflex, according to People.

“That was a very long night,” Jennifer Berko remembered.

The next morning, doctors delivered more bad news — their son’s organs were shutting down and he was not expected to survive that day.