Meet Ryan’s Mom
Caressa Todd is the founder and president of The Ryan Danielle Foundation. She is a mother, advocate, and community leader dedicated to helping parents feel prepared during infant emergencies through education, awareness, and compassion.
After experiencing the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Ryan Danielle Booker, Caressa made the decision to transform her grief into purpose by creating a foundation centered on infant CPR education, choking prevention awareness, maternal support, and community outreach.
Through honesty, empathy, and lived experience, Caressa hopes to reach families in a way that is personal, empowering, and life-changing. Her mission is simple: no parent should ever feel helpless in an emergency involving their child.
Today, she continues Ryan’s legacy by advocating for infant safety education and building a foundation designed to save lives through preparedness, love, and community support.
…Her Story
Ryan Danielle Booker was born on November 16, 2011. She was Caressa’s second child and first daughter — a beautiful baby whose life brought joy, love, and light to everyone around her.
On May 20, 2012, during a family gathering celebrating a birthday, a tragic accident changed everything. While getting Ryan dressed, Caressa turned away for only a brief moment. When she turned back around, Ryan was choking and struggling to breathe.
In the panic and confusion of the moment, neither parent knew infant CPR or how to properly respond to a choking emergency. Despite desperate attempts to help and emergency medical intervention, Ryan suffered severe oxygen deprivation. After several heartbreaking days in the hospital, Caressa was told that Ryan was brain dead and being kept alive only by machines.
Caressa held her daughter in her arms as life support was removed — a moment that forever changed her life.
The Ryan Danielle Foundation was born from that pain, but also from love. Caressa created this organization so other parents can have access to the education, resources, and emergency preparedness training she wishes she had during those critical moments.
Ryan’s life matters. Her story matters. And through this foundation, her legacy has the power to help save the lives of other children and support families everywhere.