Deputy saves Wawarsing infant

Last Friday, an Ulster County Sheriff's deputy reportedly plucked 15-month-old Sarah Schmidt from death.

The baby's parents, Alexander and Andrea, called 911 when Sarah stopped breathing, according to a press release from the Ulster County Sheriff's Office. When the deputy and State Police arrived at the Kerhonkson residence, Sarah was unconscious and unresponsive.

What happened next is straight out of the hero playbook: The deputy, Chris Lutz, grabbed the baby and resuscitated her on the spot.

From the press release:

Seizing the infant from the family, the Deputy Lutz began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which revived the child, enabling her to begin breathing without assistance.

Then, instead of waiting for the EMTs to arrive, the officers bundled Sarah and her mother into a State Trooper vehicle and sped them to Ellenville Hospital. By the time she arrived, the baby was already in good condition.

Three cheers for good old-fashioned heroics. Read the full press release below:

After responding to a 911 report of a medical emergency on Old Mine Road in the Town of Wawarsing, Deputy Chris Lutz from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police Troopers Jullian Gillman, Michael Colloton, and James Bolizio found a 15-month-old infant not breathing, unconscious and unresponsive. Seizing the infant from the family, the Deputy Lutz began mouth-to-mouth resusicitation, which revived the child, enabling her to begin breathing without assistance. Unable to wait for EMS personnel to arrive, the infant Sarah Schmidt, age 15 months, and her mother Andrea Schmidt were placed in a trooper’s police vehicle and were transported to Ellenville Community Hospital. At the time of the conclusion of police involvement, Sarah was admitted into the emergency room at Ellenville Hospital in good condition.

Date of Incident: 01/21/11

Time: 1:50 pm

Parents (who consented to use of names and location) Michael A. Schmidt, 24 yoa Andrea Schmidt, 27 yoa

Infant: Sarah Schmidt, 15 months

Address: 63 Old Mine Road, Kerhonkson in the Town of Wawarsing