By Mitch Hotts
The Macomb Daily
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — Two Sterling Heights police officers are being celebrated for their life-saving actions on a little girl who was found to be not breathing after going into cardiac arrest following an asthma attack.
The city’s police and fire departments were dispatched about 4 p.m. Wednesday to the 5600 block of Amberwood to respond to reports of a 7-year-old not breathing.
“Upon arrival, Officer Colton Conley and Officer Ryan Hartsmith observed a female bystander already assisting in doing CPR,” police said in a news release. “The officers immediately took over CPR and provided breaths to the unresponsive 7-year-old who did not have a pulse, and was not breathing.”
Police Lt. Mario Bastianelli said after providing CPR to the girl, firefighters arrived and took over life-saving care. The child was transported to an area hospital where she is now doing well and reported to be in stable condition.
In the 911 recording, the child’s mother, Quanisha Walton, could be heard screaming hysterically. Another woman takes the phone.
“Is she breathing,” a dispatcher asks.
“No, she’s not,” the woman said.
According to body cam footage, the officers arrived about two minutes later. Both displayed a calm demeanor under intense surroundings as the officers arrived and began working on the child.
“Can you see me,” one asks as the girl starts to come around. “Can you squeeze my hand.”
Walton told officials the girl apparently suffered an asthma attack and went into cardiac arrest.
Battalion Chief Jeff Duncan said while the girl was being transported the hospital, she became more aware of her surroundings. He told reporters at a press gathering to see her respond to their efforts “was pretty awesome.”
“The outstanding work once again by Sterling Heights first responders made the difference in this life-or-death situation,” Bastianelli said. “We train together, as a team for moments like this to be able to save the lives of the citizens that we serve.”
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