A real hero: Boardman officer saves baby

The officer was on the scene in less than three minutes.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — A new mother credits quick action by a township police officer and a neighbor for saving the life of her newborn son.

Margaret Zalewski gave birth June 7 to a son, Rowan-Liam Welsh. On June 15, Zalewski put the baby to bed in her Southern Boulevard apartment and about 11:15 p.m., she heard the infant choking.

She rushed into the bedroom and found the child not breathing. She grew frantic.

Zalewski’s boyfriend, Aaron Powell, called 911.

The frightened mother can be heard shrieking in the background of the 911 tape as emergency personnel attempt to give instructions.

Zalewski’s upstairs neighbor, Shawn Ramsey Sr., heard the commotion and came downstairs to help.

“I was upstairs and I heard her screaming,” Ramsey said.

He started to administer CPR.

On the scene

Patrolman Jeff Lytle, a township officer since 2001, heard the call and, although he wasn’t dispatched, responded.

He was looking for the address when he saw Zalewski run out to the street.

“It was less than three minutes and the police officer was pulling up,” Zalewski said.

When Ramsey saw the lights, he put the baby down and let the officer take over.

Lytle picked up Rowan-Liam, who was starting to change color, turned him over and tapped the tiny back to try to dislodge the obstruction.

The baby started to cry and Lytle took the child to Pellin Ambulance crews, who arrived at the home along with township firefighters shortly after Lytle.

Lytle doesn’t have children — although he and his wife hope to eventually — but he knew what to do from training.

Zalewski is certified in CPR too but says she froze, unable to act to help her child.

She said she doesn’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for the help of Ramsey and Lytle.

Saving a life

Police Chief Patrick Berarducci praised Lytle’s actions.

“The thing I’m most proud of is that it was all self-initiated,” the chief said.

Lytle responded without being dispatched because he was nearby and thought he could help, Berarducci said.

That’s a distinction of a quality police officer, he said.

Rowan-Liam was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Health Center. He suffers from a periodic breathing disorder and had choked on mucus.

The baby returned home Sunday and wears a monitor that sounds an alarm if he stops breathing or his heart rate slows or quickens dramatically.

When reunited with baby and mother this week, Lytle held the sleeping infant, joking about their similar hairstyles. Both are bald.

Rowan-Liam awoke just long enough to gaze up at his hero and stretch before drifting back to sleep.

Zalewski reached to shake Lytle’s hand.

“Thank you,” she said.

“We’re lucky to have officers like you,” Ramsey added.

Lytle demurred.

“I just did what any police officer would do,” he said.