Hoxie Responders Work Quickly to Save Unresponsive One-Year-Old

HOXIE, Ark. — Police responded to a frightening scenario where an infant was not breathing this week, in Hoxie.

On Wednesday, August 14, the Hoxie Police Department was dispatched to the Church of God in response to a one-year-old child unresponsive and not breathing, according to a release from the department. Hoxie Fire Department, Walnut Ridge police, and Medic One ambulance were also dispatched.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Hoxie Firefighters John Williams and Charlie Mitchell arrived on scene, assessed the child and began life saving measures. Officers Rakoczy and Guiman responded to the call. One of the responders radioed to ask about an ETA on the ambulance. Dispatchers said Randolph County had been contacted to dispatch an ambulance.

By this point, the child was semi-responsive according to police. Rakoczy told the responder to put the child in the back of his patrol unit, with the mother also getting into the vehicle. Guiman drove while Rakoczy provided aid to the child. The officers informed dispatch they were on their way to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The response time from the scene to the emergency room was around two to three minutes, police said. However, a positive outcome happened in just that short time frame.

While en route, the child began crying, and his respirations began to increase.

Once they arrived at the hospital, the child was taken to a room and was still crying. It appeared the child was responsive.

This incident illustrates a struggle faced by Lawrence County responders. Since another ambulance service in Imboden closed, if Medic One in Walnut Ridge is extended, it can be a 45 minute response time from Randolph or Sharp counties.