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LUDINGTON, Mich. — A Good Samaritan and a common kitchen utensil are being credited with saving a Michigan baby's life.
Two weeks ago Bill Hogenson of Ludington was working outside with his son when he overheard a frightening conversation, according to WPBN.
"We heard one of the babysitters talking on the phone to 911 saying that the baby is purple and not breathing," Hogenson said.
That's when Hogenson leapt into action. He took off sprinting past the babysitter, who yelled, "She's upstairs!" Hogenson made his way upstairs, took 5-month-old Nessa Shoup from the lap of another babysitter and started performing CPR, but she was still struggling to breathe. He knew he had to try something else.
"I went into the drawer and found a turkey baster and used the turkey baster to clear her nasal passage and her airway," Hogenson described.
He patted the baby on the back, spun her around and saw a good sign.
"She smiled at me, and I knew we were going to be in the good," Hogenson said.
Nessa's parents, Shawn Gasciogne and Robin Shoup, who say the baby's throat is not fully developed yet, causing her to occasionally choke, call it "fate" that Hogenson was working in the neighborhood that night.
"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have this beautiful baby here right now, and we are forever grateful," said Gascoigne.
