Plumber in Union Gap saves a baby girl from choking
UNION GAP, Wash - Today Clarissa is happy and playing with her mother, Gabriela Arellano.
But on Friday the 11-month-old girl nearly choked to death in her Union Gap home.
“It was like in a matter of two seconds I heard her coughing and like choking on something,” Arellano said.
Gabriela didn't know what to do, her husband was at work, so she ran out of the house to ask for help.
She couldn't see anyone nearby, but luckily for her, Jeovany Ciriaco and his crew from Shephard Plumbing were working on a house nearby.
Jeovany quickly rushed in and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Clarissa.
She was able to cough up the food and a small twig.
Gabriela understands the need for social distancing because of the coronavirus but appreciates Jeovany stepping in when he did.
“We’re trying to be careful with the whole virus, but I do really appreciate them trying offer some help,” Arellano said.
Jeovany has children of his own and says it was a very easy decision to make.
“You know I got a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old so that can be a scary situation especially for a mother if they don’t know any life-saving techniques,” Ciriaco said.
By the time paramedics arrived Clarissa was okay, but it was a scary moment for Gabriela.
It’s always scary when a baby is hurt or especially choking and especially in a time like this.
So, Gabriela and her family are very thankful for Jeovany and his selfless actions.
Jeovany says he's thankful to have been on the job when this happened.
“As we fall into the essential and that was an emergency call so (that) put us at the right place at the right times,” Ciriaco said.
Gabriela agrees and says someone was watching over her family on Friday.
“I don’t know how it happened, but I think they were just sent from above you know honestly because I don’t know what I would’ve done without them,” Arellano said.
