Hero Cop Saves Unresponsive Newborn After Mom Gives Birth in Station Parking Lot
When newborn Hanna Paielli is old enough to understand, her father will tell the story of her dramatic birth at a Michigan police station.
Hanna will grow up knowing about the Michigan police trooper who helped save her life when she was just moments old.
Her story began with a rushed car ride to the hospital in the middle of the night on July 23. She was ultimately born in her parent’s SUV, feet first, not breathing.
Hanna’s parents, Jessica and Andrew Paielli, tried what they knew to revive their newborn, but she remained unresponsive.
In his haste to find help, Andrew Paielli had parked their vehicle at the Michigan State Police Jackson Post, in hope that someone would be inside the building and able to help.
But in the middle of the night, the post was closed. Paielli called 911 and recalled the overwhelming fear that flooded his body as he watched his daughter’s limp body and blue skin.
“I was afraid — more afraid than I’d ever been in my life — that I was going to lose my daughter,” Paielli said.
State trooper Ronnie Tucker, 23, responded to Paielli’s emergency call. He found Hanna’s pulse, but she was not breathing.
Tucker began CPR on the newborn, desperately hoping he wasn’t too late. He rubbed her chest, recalling his police academy training.
After a few very tense and uncertain moments, Hanna started to breathe. Tucker was so relieved, he said he nearly passed out himself.
“When she let out her first cry, I think I almost fainted,” Tucker said.
The shell-shocked parents were flooded with a mixed bag of emotion — happiness that their daughter would live, dread at the thought of what could have happened instead.
Two days later, after the Paielli’s were discharged from the hospital, Tucker got to greet Hanna again.
“It’s amazing,” Tucker said. “I don’t think there’s words that can describe what it feels like to see the baby actually alive and well right now.”
“Seeing how the parents were grateful for everything — there’s no way to explain it,” he said.
Paielli shared a heartfelt embrace with the young officer who saved his baby’s life.
“We’re extremely grateful for everyone that was involved in ensuring that she is with us today,” Paielli said.
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