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ROY — A 12-year-old boy is being called a hero and was honored by the Roy Fire Department for saving his mother's life.
C.J. Saulsgiver walked upstairs to find his mother unconscious on the kitchen floor Tuesday afternoon. He jumped into action and called 911.
The emergency dispatcher told Saulsgiver that she would teach him CPR, but he informed her that he already knew it. Saulsgiver had completed a CPR certification class just three months prior to his mother's heart attack.
"I was really scared, but I had to do something," Saulsgiver said.
Emergency responders said that Saulsgiver saved his mother's life because of his training. Saulsgiver took the CPR training with his entire family while his parents were preparing to become foster parents.
"He gave his mom every chance to survive before EM's got there," said Jason Poulsen, the Roy City Fire Chief. "The front of the back of (her) heart was not getting fed and was blocked. The (positive) outcome of those are very, very, very rare."
Saulsgiver's birthday was also on Tuesday. He was honored by the Roy Fire Department on Friday for "outstanding heroic actions." He was given a plaque and was told that he could possibly have his delayed birthday party at the fire station.
CJ Saulsgiver hugged his mom at the Mckay-Dee Hospital in Ogden on Friday. She is expected to make a full recovery.