UPDATE: 911 operator credited with saving infant

Published 2:55 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2009

CHAMPION, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio 911 operator is being commended for giving lifesaving instructions when a couple’s month-old infant stopped breathing.

The baby’s parents say without the know-how of Trumbull County dispatcher Ronnie Conner, their son would not have made it to the hospital Tuesday morning.

Conner says she just kept calm and thought of what she’d do for a child of her own when the frightened call came in from Chris and Amanda Wildman of Champion, 45 miles southeast of Cleveland.

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Little Owen Wildman was turning blue, so Conner told the couple to tilt his head back and blow small breaths into his mouth every three seconds. After about two minutes the infant was breathing again.

Conner’s boss says she’ll be recommended for the county’s Meritorious Service award.