Post Office Clerk Saves Baby After Heart Emergency in Arizona

When Kylie Vega walked into a post office in Clifton, Arizona, she had no idea the woman behind the counter would soon save her daughter's life.

Vega's 8-month-old daughter Nova suddenly went limp and stopped breathing inside the small-town post office. Panic set in as Vega realized her baby needed help immediately.

Postal clerk Mary Schwarz didn't hesitate. A former nurse with 13 years of experience, she vaulted over the counter and began CPR on the tiny infant.

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

Unable to find a pulse, Schwarz performed back thrusts to clear Nova's airway after learning the baby may have choked while trying to vomit. Meanwhile, Clifton Police Lieutenant Shari Aguilar happened to be nearby and rushed to help.

Knowing every second counted, Aguilar made a split-second decision to drive Nova to the nearest clinic herself rather than wait for an ambulance. Schwarz climbed into the front seat, cradling the baby and continuing lifesaving care as they raced down the road.

Halfway to the clinic, Nova finally began breathing again. Medical staff took over and later transferred her to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson.

There, doctors discovered the real crisis. Nova was born with a hole in her heart and was missing one of the arteries needed to support it. On July 21, she underwent surgery to repair the defect.

Sunny's Take

The rescue sparked an unexpected friendship between two families. Vega and Schwarz connected on Facebook, where the grateful mom shares regular updates on Nova's recovery with the woman who helped save her.

"I am very grateful that there's kind people like that still in this world," Vega said. "I can't thank her enough."

Schwarz hopes the experience encourages more people to learn CPR. "If you're a homeowner and have a pool or there's a choking incident with a child or a family member, it's so important to have some kind of training," she said.

Today, Nova continues her recovery, bringing joy to everyone who played a role in her rescue. "She's the rainbow in our lives," her mother said.