Baby Jessica and Robert O'Donnell | Dangers of Media Attention for Heroes 

Dr. Grande- I’ve been meaning to tell you this, but I appreciate that when you speak of suicide, you use the term “bringing an end to one’s life.” I feel that is the most respectful way to speak about that topic. My mother brought an end to her life eight years ago and it is still fresh to me, but your respectful words are truly touching as a suicide loss survivor. Thank you, Dr. Grande 💜

Thank you. That was a wonderful synopsis and analysis. Of note: Jessica has grown up to be a lovely woman. She’s married with a few children and is a pre-school teacher. Her husband seems devoted to her, she’s really smart and pretty, and the children seem happy and well adjusted. I think one reason she’s done so well is that she has moved on from being that famous Baby Jessica.

The ego, sometimes we must work extra hard to keep it corralled, where it belongs. I wish there was an easy way to prevent suicide. Thank you for sharing this story.

Of course everyone has heard of Baby Jessica but I had never heard about this guy. This is so incredibly sad. Another life lost because someone didn't have any recourse for failing mental health. Just the saddest thing. 😢

If only there had been someone there for Robert to rescue him from the comedown after his incredible bravery. RIP, hero.

I really appreciate you analyzing this case because it's actually some one that at least I could slightly relate to. This is a normal guy choosing to work a very honorable job. This incident gave him a taste of something he never had, and it sounded to me like that rescue was pretty important and traumatic in a unique way to him. I feel alot for this guy. He definitely sounds like he was being arrogant about himself a little, but for the media to work their "magic" and then everyone turn on him for seeing himself as a hero along with them is pretty sucky. Maybe the real lesson to be learned is that nobody is " a hero" but everyone has the ability to be heroic. Take the media out of the situation, they ruin everything for everyone.

Him being cut from the movie reminds me of the two princes (William and Harry) who were cut as well from a Star Wars movie.

I remember when this happened. I also remember thinking, there's no better place for this to happen. Midland TX, right in the spot with about 10,000 oil wells. Some of the best well drilling technology in the world was right in the neighborhood.

I'm familiar with the story but was unaware of the repercussions suffered by the rescue workers. Thanks Doc.

How sad! I remember that event and had no idea this is what happened to Robert. Thank you for this!

I like how you mentioned about the Simpsons and how you noticed that.. i pay attention to stuff like that lol!! Thats a kool shirt doc.. diggin it!:)

I remember Baby Jessica. It was a phenomenon.

I remember watching the made for TV movie years back!

Shit...I was still laughing at the _"Here comes my part!"_ section of the story when it became clear how this was going to end... The definition of "Buzzkill".

"Simpsons did it! Simpsons did it!" 🤣

All eyes were on that little Jessica and that rescue. It must have all gone to Robert's head - too bad, and very sad

Such a sad story. Why would anyone want to read a biography of someone who became famous just for one incident? No doubt PTSD was a problem. I feel bad for his the family that he left behind such as his son and mother.

They gave the kid a waterbed, a torture device created before the waterboard.

I really appreciate your analysis of this case! I think the vast majority of people want to believe in this specific construct of heroism, without realizing that it could be damaging. A modern-day example of this would be how covid caused medical professionals to be regarded as heros by a large part of the population. This carries a few problems. Many times, this high regard for medical staff is only extended to doctors and nurses, while many others who work alongside us continue have their contributions overlooked. Further more, the generally accepted construct of heroism is based on a two dimensional figure, which humans are not. Pain, exhaustion, depression, anger, arrogance and ill judgment does not distinguish between professions. Therefore, trying to place any individual into this construct, would only serve to elevate them on to a pedestal, of which they are surely to fall off of.

Firefighters who have paramedic training are unusual? Every firefighter I've ever known claimed to have paramedic training. Now admittedly that's only like two people, but with this being a small town and all I'd always just assumed it was a common thing. Maybe back then it was unusual, but I feel like now it's pretty common if not an actual requirement to become a firefighter. I could be wrong though. I am pretty stupid.

Sad..very sad.

Also, the pipe size they report is too small and no 18 month old is running in the back yard playing hide n seek

This is so sad to hear. I really feel Robert had other issues that caused him to kill himself. It wasn't just this Baby Jessica situation. 😢

Now I know why the setting for “leave it to beaver” was in New York State…..

Very sad ending. Never knew this.. Robert didn't have to put himself in harms way but he did. Had he not been the tallest and thin person who else could of done this at that moment . Hero's today are sports figures Or crazy political figures. Young school shooters. Everyday nobody's are the heroes that keep the world spinning

4:48 - Dr. Grande said “stuffed beaver”. Inappropriate. You’re talking about a little girl here!

poor guy

He unfortunately. was in the wrong job-but thank God he was that day.

Not to disrespect the dead but "No help from nobody but family" is a double negative.

It’s really fucking sad about him. But I get it. We are all ego driven apes. And we are all heroes most likely. I was saved by a girl who jerked me back from a truck speeding at a blind corner. I was saved by my grandma saying my dad was trying to murder me (he was. He did multiple times .) Doctors and nurses have saved my life!!! (Thanks all!) And I have saved people- Several kids who were drowning got pulled up by me and I stomped at a fire in my flipflops while hollering and went and get people out of the building- (the fire had spread inside the wall-the firefighters had to chop the wall.) (for that-I had the apartment managers try to blame me for starting the fire but I don’t smoke cigarettes. They should have thanked me. They never did.). I also screamed at my high school busdriver to stop when a train was coming. The train missed us by inches-all the kids screamed as they fell on the floor and he personally thanked me-but the school and the parents never knew it happened cuz all us kids loved that driver as our old one had been a real evil bastard. So none of us ever told on him. Unspoken Pact of silence kind of thing, I guess. I figure most people have been accidental heroes like that-just hollering that a bike or cat is in the road so the driver can be aware...I want recognition for what I do and what I create and I figure everyone just needs attention. It feels like love a little bit. The man who rescued Baby Jessica just needed a special something he wasn’t getting. Too bad his son wasn’t enough for him. Bet his son did love him a ton. But the media is fickle, people are fickle as well ...

You stated that people like heroes and definitely Robert O’Donnell was an A#1 hero of the highest order, however people don't like it when they act like heroes. Okay. Howzabout this one that might be similar? Many football fans HATE grand standers in football where EVERY player 100% of the time after EVERY play, even if they are 0-15, act as if they just won the Super Bowl with their Super Bowl Victory dance along with a boatload of variations. I HATE grand standers. I watch videos of footballers from the 1960's and very few players do anything after even a great play - ever - except just hand the ball to the closest referee. I think those players had a lot of class. My question to you Dr. Grande, is any of that got to do with the nature of human beings? -- on EITHER side - izzit me or izzit the players doing the grand standing? Also since it's the norm now, even players who have actually just made a first down that have forgotten to do the obligatory helping the refs by pointing at making the first down have gone back and done the pointing which I think is kind of funny. Then there's the fans in the stands that seem to enjoy grandstanding of players these days while me and most folks I know that also hate National Anthem kneelers also hate grand standers. We REALLY hate kneelers and the same players who grand stand. "People who love buttermilk, REALLY ... LOVE... buttermilk."--Shelly Berman.

The Simpsons nailed it again!!!! 😫😫😫

As someone who is claustrophobic, I consider his act to be heroic and could understand how doing this could be very traumatic.

It’s sad he didn’t get the help he needed. If he’s tried a few times already, He should have already been receiving mental help. He was a firefighter and paramedic, regardless of saving a baby from the well, he already was a hero.

This is really sad. Robert overcame his claustrophobia to squeeze down the well to attempt to rescue Jessica, twice. He was a hero. I agree he had PTSD.

'I'm a hero for staying awake for 48 hours!' Ma'am, sir, please don't ever have children.

I remember when this happened but didn’t know the rest of the story. Thank you. It’s sad but very interesting. Love the pink shirt!!

Oh yes Jessica McClure, you may remember her from films like "baby Jessica" and "the rescue"

I liked this analysis. Sounds like he transferred all his PTSD into hopes of stardom as an escape. There's a euphoria after completing something you thought you couldn't. Him being claustrophobic and still going down a second time to help her and he succeeded! No doubt that euphoria, the PTSD, and the sudden attention was very confusing for him.

I guess that’s why people say “enjoy your 15 minutes of fame” Seems like he never heard that before. It is really sad though. ☮️💜🌵

I really like Dr. Grande's conclusion that he was indeed a hero. He just wasn't equipped afterwards.

🤣 “Their common sense was buried deeper than the well.” They might have actually needed Dr. G’s heroic efforts to dig that out!! 🤣

I actually do really feel for him. He just wanted to be something better and it was hard to let that go when he got a taste of it. His actions probably came from a place of deep insecurity. He needed more help

I hope we’re getting better as a society at recognising people who are suffering with mental health difficulties and offering the help they need. I’d like to think that were this all to happen today, we’d be able to save Robert from his well, not just Jessica.

This case reminds me of Chesley Sullenburger the pilot who landed a plane load of passengers on the Hudson River. When I see news clips of reunions of the people on board that flight all I can imagine is that people need heroes, need to believe in something. Sully is perceived as a hero even though it was just a circumstance in which he found himself. When he’s interviewed I get a sense he is simply playing along with the perceptions of himself as a hero, but he appears to have retained his humbleness and authentic sense of self. I can see him and his family walking to the car shaking their heads at the absurdity of the media attention and public perception .

The PTSD is isolating; I suspect that Dr. Grande was right. He needed the attention so he wouldn't be isolated with the fears/depression/loss of self confidence of PTSD.

This reminds me of Melvin Purvis he was an FBI agent from back in the 30s he became famous for bring down gangsters like John Dillinger and after the spot light was off of him he shot himself with a revolver that they said was given to him by J Edgar Hoover When fame fades your only left with your own thoughts

The guy was doubtless a hero! It’s unfortunate that he could not carry forward to live a good life, regardless of whether he ever made it onto a magazine cover again. Robert’s exceptional actions outlived him. A child lived (partially) due to his swallowing his fears. Rest In Peace.

My father died while this was happening. That's what I'll always connect it with.

Dr G! You should do a video on Rachel Dolezal

What a sad story. Thank-you to Mr. O'Donnell for his part in rescuing Jessica. I am so sorry that things turned out the way they did. Rest in Peace.

So many people remember that story of Baby Jessica, but it was incredibly interesting to learn about how that famous rescue mission so badly affected one of the main rescuers! Very sad that he let the fame consume him so badly that it literally destroyed his life! Great video Dr. Grande!!

This is the most insightful episode (for personal reasons) I've ever watched from you. THANK YOU! My ex-husband is retired Special Agent for the Federal Government. His retirement destroyed our marriage. Neither of us would've ever seen that coming. He went through intense depression after leaving that career at 50. I actually see some similarities of the aftermath. He speaks to no one except for me now. He has nothing to do with our college age son. He suffers depression and addictions he never had before. I will never abandon him or give up on him because of the amazing person he was before retiring. I look for that person every second of every single day. I fear he's gone forever.

I think he felt very special in that moment and it gave him a real high. I would bet it’s the same way some people become addicted to gambling. I had a friend who used to go to Atlantic City occasionally to party. One time she went and she won $5000. She said it felt amazing and then she was always trying to capture that

I remember watching the rescue on TV. I had tears in my eyes when Baby Jessica was finally removed. I had no idea of the rest of the story. How sad that it ended that way.

I remember praying for her at dinner time as a child some 30 yrs ago

Irrelevant aside: The Simpsons parodied the Baby Jessica event in an episode. The public turns its back on Bart when they discover he has been pretending to be a younger child

This is one of the saddest cases you have ever done. Poor Robert. ♥️

I watched the rescue with the rest of the world but had no idea about all this until now and it's so sad! I wish things had gone differently for him. I think your analysis is spot on Doc, and migraines can be so debilitating. Fabulous video on a sad topic💙👏💙

PTSD is an epidemic within medics and firefighters. It is only recently that it is being openly discussed. In the 80/90’s it would have been stigmatized to say he had problems and he needed help. His migraines were a sign of the stress he was under. The two failed suicide attempts were not only an indication he would try again, but a silent cry for help.

Sounds similar to the "lottery curse". I didnt know that this had occurred after the rescue. I wonder how much time Robert spent on marketing himself, after such a few hours of rescue. He must have felt terribly about himself.

I'd consider Robert a hero. Despite being claustrophobic, he went down a narrow opening and saved the little girl. That could have been one reason he may have had PTSD from the rescue. It's a shame he valued media attention above all else after this. A true hero, lessened by pride. I feel very sad in the way this played out for him. On top of the world briefly, only to crash back down just as quickly. He may have had issues before this incident that played into his need for hero worship. Thank you for this very thoughtful, and respectful analysis, Dr.Grande. You're really the best. ❤

Media attention can be fickle. They love it but get bored eventually Great analysis Dr Grande!!!

What an ordeal for everyone involved. I guess to some extent it was good she was so young when it happened, maybe she was spared some of the psychological trauma that way. Also the focused effort from the rescuers are commendable. Working fast but not stress the situation which could have caused problems with the extraction of Jessica from the well.

Your recent conclusions are so well written and just always leave us with a "Wow" effect. Thank you.

My son was 6 weeks old, and I was 18. I cried so hard and held him close! That was devestating!

Great analysis Doc. I didn't know that one of The rescuers eventually killed themselves. I feel a little sad for the guy. It's a shame that he couldn't just move on with his life and do other things. This is a good lesson for anyone who provides a service to the people. Keep doing the job you love and don't feed on praise.

They took him out of the movie wtf

It's sad that it seems nobody helped him with his problems, he bragged about his heroism, but he also was using painkillers and his wife just sent him away from their house? Why does it always happens so nobody cares about those people until they're dead?

Such a sad outcome. He literally saved that baby’s life.

I know what it's like to get migraines from a young age and even get told that eventually I'd out grow them at 25 that was almost 10 years ago. I got lucky and after being allergic to almost all migraine specific drugs until cgrp class of drugs and they are a blessing but a $600 a month one. So its $600 a month or have a severe migraine for 3 days out of the week and spend the next day recovering so that 3 out of 7 days in a week are ok when I didn't get kidney stones. Life is pain

I remember all of this including when she was rescued. My dad pointed out the hand signals that one man was giving to the winch operator. It's so sad that Robert didn't get the mental help he needed. And migraines are pure evil!!! They can be absolutely debilitating but people tend to think they are just a bad headache. I haven't had one since June of 2020 but before that I would get them 2 or 3 times a week. R.I.P. Robert

Please Doc, please give me a chance to catch my breath! I’m behind three episodes now!

This is one that has affected me my entire life. This happened when i was a child, i remember watching it all play out as a kid. At some point of pulling her out they mention they pulled her hip out of place, being a kid i had no idea where the hip was on the body, but that statement about her hip made me think about my foot for some reason, everytime i seen anything about this story or even thought about it i would get that same sensation in my foot. This went on for long after i knew where the hip was on the body, i never had that happen with anything else in my life but to this day just seeing this makes my foot feel weird, it's the strangest thing.

This is so sad, the poor guy. We’ll never know if he had autism or something else significant, such as an illness that triggered the migraine (brain tumour# often cause unusual behaviour, there could even have been a tragic coincidence here) and he really deserved more support & medical intervention. I feel bad for his family too. Had he not been involved with the rescue (I’m so glad Jessica was saved of course) he may have continued to live a normal, happy life. Thanks so much, Dr Grande.

Can you please analyze Three Identical Strangers and test subject ethics ??

I hope she's having a good life!♥️♥️♥️

This reminds me of the Richard jewel case. Richard jewell was also a hero but he wasn’t prepared to handle all the media attention. His high profile caused him to be accused of something he didn’t do. He certainly didn’t deserve that

All we know is Robert was undoubtedly a hero on that day… we also know Roberts favorite soda is Dr. Pepper.

Interesting story… I remember seeing this in the news but it's been a long time. Thank you Doctor Grande for sharing!

I remember sitting in front of the TV the whole time watching her rescue. We all prayed and cried for that baby. I will never forget it.

Rescue 911 was my absolute favorite show- I was glued to this story and rescue! I didn’t think I could love you anymore- but I do!! Thanks for doing this - It was heartbreaking to watch these men!

Dr. Grande, could you look into the case of Isabella Ariel Kalua’s death on the Big Island of Hawaii?

This was crazy when it happened!! I remember staying glued to my TV the whole time. I can only imagine the emotional toll it took on everyone. 😔

Sounds like he may have had some major stress before the rescue - Migraines since age 8, underweight, and drug addiction - If he had poor self esteem and then had this positive attention that can be very appealing for someone who craved and needed validation. A person who has suffered trauma can become obsessed with chasing attention and validation.

Baby Jessica is 35-36 years old now. It would be ironic if they made a movie of Robert O’Donnell's life now, and how it ended.

I didn't know anyone that wasn't distraught about little Jessica! Isn't it ironic that someone like 'Oprah' cashing in on people's tragedy and grief! Really hit home now! So sad that someone would let a moment in time like this become what define and eventually end their lives.

This and the Dooms Day Clock updates were some of my earliest news memories. Thank you for the reminder I am now a middle-aged lady. It's unfortunate when anyone feels they need to take their life. Our lives are more than one singular event & everyday is an opportunity for new experiences and healing.

How Heartbreaking for Robert!💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏 Prayers for his Family.

"All glory is fleeting." Ancient saying.

The story of Jessica down the well was also reported in the UK. Of course, once she had been rescued, the story went away. I didn't know about the rescuers nor the effects on them. It's so terribly sad what happened to Robert.

This is so 'friggin sad. I had no idea this happened. Thank you for this episode.

I guess that’s a high that hard to come down from. I was immediately reminded of the I Love Lucy episode, “No Children Allowed. “ Ethel stands up for Lucy against Mrs.Trumble. Lucy is grateful until Ethel boastfully tells the story dozens of times to anyone who will listen. Lucy gets fed up and eventually tells the story with her, word for word.

You're the best Doctor Grande, thank you!!!!!! Time never fails when you're there.

I knew a doctor (resident) who was part of the team who cared for a young boy who was trapped in the rubble of the collapsed Cypress Structure (freeway), after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco. The situation was particularly traumatizing because the boy was trapped for a couple of days next to his dead mother, the team had to go under the rubble which was constantly threatening to collapse further, and they ultimately had to amputate the boy’s foot in order to remove him from the debris. 😳😢. The doctor never got the psychological support he obviously needed, and his reaction led to pain for a lot of people. Before the event he was apparently devoted to his wife and children and was very close to his extended family. Within a year after the earthquake he had an affair with (and ultimately became engaged to) his best friend’s wife, divorced his pregnant wife (telling her it was her fault), renounced deeply-held beliefs, and became estranged from his extended family. 🥺 Would that have happened with the disaster? Impossible to know - he did have a lot of stressors in his life - but I don’t think it would have happened all at once.

Please cover the 9/11 Bandana Man, Welles Crowther? I suffer from terminal hope and recurring optimism.

Wow! Imagine 3.1 million people voluntarily watching CNN.

Very interesting. I never knew the extent of this story. Thanks Doc.

Thank you for this analysis, Dr. Grande. It sounds like Robert became addicted to the euphoria of being a hero and when the euphoric recall couldn't be sustained, cross addiction to narcotics took place.

Could you cover the case of Alfredo Rampi? Specifically the main reason he wasn’t rescued. That the two groups of rescuers couldn’t stop disagreeing how to handle the situation, refused to listen to experts, and were more focused on the possible media attention they would get if they were the group to free him. It’s so sad and makes me so angry!