Quick response saves life of newborn

Early yesterday morning, Historic City News has learned that the rapid, trained response of one deputy sheriff in Palm Coast may very well have saved the life of a newborn baby boy.

Flagler County Deputy Erik Pedersen was the first to respond to an E-911 call reporting that a 28-year-old woman was on her living room floor; struggling with the birth of her child.

Pedersen said when he arrived at the home on Slatington Place in Palm Coast, at about 4:30 a.m., the woman, who was reported to be 36-weeks pregnant, was sitting on the floor; crying and holding the newborn child. The deputy said he could see only the head of the baby — and it appeared to be blue.

The deputy quickly confirmed the baby had been completely delivered, then took the infant from the mother and began stimulating him. Pedersen rubbed the baby’s back to make him cry and clear his airway. The newborn began turning pink and started to cry.
Mother and four pound, six ounce, baby were transported to an Ormond hospital where they were reported to be “doing fine” later Thursday morning.

“Law enforcement has many challenges. This is one of those memorable moments that this deputy will be able to look back on years from now knowing that his quick actions saved this child’s life,” said Sheriff Donald W. Fleming.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by FCSO