The sounds of crying are heaven-sent when first responders save an unresponsive 4-month-old baby boy who had stopped breathing. The video unfolding shows just how every second counts in life-threatening moments. The infant Laker Carlson was born twelve weeks premature and had a medical condition known as Spina Bifida, which occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 births.
In spite of being born with a rare condition, he was thriving enough to go home and join his family while on oxygen. All seemed well for the little guy as his family returned to their lives, making room for this precious addition until his mother realized Laker had stopped breathing. Frantically she called for emergency services and knew she needed to get him help right away.
Emergency responders were made aware of the situation. They raced to Laker’s house with hope and prayer they would make it in time to save him. When paramedics arrived, they learned not only was Laker not breathing, he didn’t have a pulse. Deputy Jonte Slack recalls the heart-stopping moment. “When I got there, there was no pulse. He was not breathing, and there were no signs of life,” he recalled.
Jonte gently placed Laker’s lifeless body on the floor and began chest compressions for CPR. After several heart-stopping moments, Laker begins to gurgle and fuss. He was breathing again!
His father, Matthew Carlson, was terrified he had lost his son when he got the phone call his new son wasn’t breathing. He felt helpless as he began an agonizing 30-minute drive home, praying for God to intervene. When Matthew finally got to hold his son in his arms again, he commented, “He is definitely our miracle baby. He is so precious.”
Laker is a miracle indeed. Thank God for Jonte’s life-saving skills and for the Lord being present with this family. The Lord’s hand was upon little Laker, and now he has a story to tell!
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see,” Acts 3:16.