Celebrity Mike Tyson: Thank You for Your Prayers The boxing champ issues a statement about this "difficult time" as his 4-year-old daughter remains on life support By Mike Fleeman and Johnny Dodd Johnny Dodd Instagram Twitter Johnny Dodd is a senior writer at PEOPLE, who focuses on human interest, crime and sports stories. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 26, 2009 01:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Debbie VanStory/Abaca With his 4-year-old daughter in critical condition after an accident at home, boxer Mike Tyson on Tuesday released a statement of appreciation for people’s concerns. “The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time,” the statement said. Exodus Tyson was on life support in a Phoenix hospital after she apparently nearly strangled herself on a cord dangling from a treadmill. The girl’s mother – whose name isn’t being released – was cleaning in another part of the house when she sent her 7-year-old son to the playroom to check on his sister, according to a Phoenix Police Department spokesman. When the boy found his sister tangled up in the cable, he called for his mother, who quickly removed the cord from her neck, called 911, then began administering CPR. Police officers, who arrived at the home minutes later, found the little girl unconscious and continued performing CPR. She was rushed to St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition. “We’re just hoping she pulls through,” says Phoenix Police Department spokesman Tommy Thompson. Tyson, 42, who was in Las Vegas at the time, flew to Phoenix and was seen arriving at the hospital. from Huffington PostPHOTOS: Cannes Fashion TrendsFASHION FACE OFF: Gossip Girls In Short Shorts