Ex-Nurse Saves Baby at Arizona Post Office with CPR

Mary Schwarz was working behind the counter at a Greenlee County post office in Clifton, Arizona, when she heard a mother's panic. Kylie Vega had brought her 8-month-old daughter Nova to mail a package on July 11, but the baby suddenly stopped breathing.

"She was kind of going limp," Vega recalled. She patted her daughter's back, but Nova remained unresponsive with no pulse.

Schwarz didn't hesitate. After 13 years as a nurse before becoming a postal clerk, her training kicked in instantly.

"There was no thinking in that situation," Schwarz said. "I just jumped into action."

She immediately began CPR on the infant and delivered back blows to clear Nova's airway in case she was choking. When Clifton Police Lt. Shari Aguilar arrived minutes later, the two women made a crucial decision.

Rather than wait for an ambulance, Aguilar drove Nova to a nearby medical clinic with Schwarz holding the baby in the car. "I knew time was of the essence, and we needed to get that baby to the hospital as soon as possible," Aguilar said.

Halfway to the clinic, Nova began breathing again. Medical professionals took over upon arrival, and the baby was later transferred to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson.

Sunny's Take

The story gets even more remarkable. Nova had already been fighting since birth with a hole in her heart, making her survival that day even more precious.

"She's special, and she's the rainbow in our lives," Vega said. Ten days after the post office incident, Nova underwent successful heart surgery on July 21.

Vega and Schwarz now stay connected on Facebook, where the grateful mother sends regular updates on Nova's recovery. "I am very grateful that there's kind people like that still in this world," Vega said.

Schwarz hopes the experience reminds people how valuable CPR training can be. Whether someone has a pool at home or simply wants to be prepared for emergencies with children or family members, knowing what to do can make all the difference.

"It's so important to have some kind of training to know what to do in that situation," she said.

Nova continues recovering in the hospital, surrounded by a community that proved heroes can appear anywhere, even behind a post office counter.