(JournalScene) SUMMERVILLE, SC – Clifford “CC” McElvogue was sitting inside his garage watching TV on an off-duty day this month when he suddenly spotted an unnerving sight—his neighbor’s teen babysitter walking around outside in a panicked state.
He knew she had been caring for his neighbor’s 4-year-old daughter Carsyn Hayes that day.
“I could tell by her facial expression something was wrong,” the Summerville police detective said.
It was about 4 p.m. on Jan. 16, and McElvogue had just so happened to get up and walk out to the garage’s opening to see the teen, on the phone with her mom.
Without hesitation he ran next door to check on the child. What he witnessed upon stepping inside was unlike anything he expected. With eyes closed, Carsyn was shaking uncontrollably, McElvogue said.
He learned the sick toddler’s fever had spiked to 105, forcing her body to seize and begin to lose consciousness. In an instant, his fatherly instinct and duty to serve and protect kicked in, and he grabbed Carsyn and held her.
“I picked her up until she was lifeless,” he said.
McElvogue then hurried back to his place, headed with the child straight for his unmarked cruiser. He knew he needed to seek aid, and fast. But almost simultaneously, he said he saw his friend Chris Young and his wife pull into his driveway. It was perfect timing. With little time for explanation, McElvogue urged them to drive him to the nearest place for medical attention—Summerville fire station 4 on Sheep Island Road.
“911 was an option, but the fire station was right there,” McElvogue said,” so I figured (she) would be better off…there instead of waiting on an ambulance to get (to the house).”
During the drive, McElvogue watched Carsyn’s life slip away.
“By that time her lips were turning blue, and I couldn’t feel (any) breath or anything,” he said.
After he gave her two quick breaths and a sternum rub, he noticed a minimal response. Though she moved at his touch, her reaction was barely detectable.
Upon reaching the station, the officer blew the car horn, and firefighters immediately got to work saving the girl’s life. After receiving oxygen, Carsyn seemed revived and soon woke up, though she didn’t speak for at least an hour, McElvogue said.
