SIDNEY — A Shelby County deputy was honored for his actions on Oct. 17, which saved the life of a 2-month-old baby.
Deputy Joel Howell was on duty when he and Anna EMS were dispatched to the Sav-A-Ton in Anna on the report of a 2-month-old not breathing. On Howell’s arrival at the scene, he saw that the boy’s parents, Jessica L. Sell and Kimmie D. Swangim, both of Fort Wayne, Ind., had placed the baby — Charles A. Swangim — on the front seat of their van. The baby’s dad, Kimmie Swangim, was performing CPR.
Howell asked Kimmie to hand Charles to him and asked him to continue breaths as Howell did compressions. At the time, Howell wrote in his report, he felt no pulse and the baby was unresponsive. After a minute, the baby would grunt and then become unresponsive again.
“Continuing CPR, I eventually felt Charles’s heart beat in his chest, however, he still was not breathing on his own,” wrote Howell.
Anna Rescue arrived on the scene and Howell took the baby to the squad. EMS continued breaths and administered oxygen. By the time the squad reached Wilson Health, the baby was alert and responsive. He was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Dayton for further treatment.
On Wednesday, Shelby County Sheriff John Lenhart presented Howell with BSSA lifesaving award for his actions which saved the life of Charles A. Swangim.
