{"id":14799,"date":"2017-01-30T19:11:31","date_gmt":"2017-01-30T19:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/georgiaarsoncontrol.org\/?p=14799"},"modified":"2017-01-30T19:11:31","modified_gmt":"2017-01-30T19:11:31","slug":"off-duty-officer-helps-save-4-year-old-summerville-girl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/georgiaarsoncontrol.org\/?p=14799","title":{"rendered":"Off-duty officer helps save 4-year-old Summerville girl"},"content":{"rendered":"

(JournalScene<\/a>) SUMMERVILLE, SC \u2013 \u00a0Clifford \u201cCC\u201d McElvogue was sitting inside his garage watching TV on an off-duty day this month when he suddenly spotted an unnerving sight\u2014his neighbor\u2019s teen babysitter walking around outside in a panicked state.<\/p>\n

He knew she had been caring for his neighbor\u2019s 4-year-old daughter Carsyn Hayes that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could tell by her facial expression something was wrong,\u201d the Summerville police detective said.<\/p>\n

It was about 4 p.m. on Jan. 16, and McElvogue had just so happened to get up and walk out to the garage\u2019s opening to see the teen, on the phone with her mom.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He learned the sick toddler\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI picked her up until she was lifeless,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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\u2014Summerville fire station 4 on Sheep Island Road.<\/p>\n

\u201c911 was an option, but the fire station was right there,\u201d McElvogue said,\u201d so I figured (she) would be better off\u2026there instead of waiting on an ambulance to get (to the house).\u201d<\/p>\n

During the drive, McElvogue watched Carsyn\u2019s life slip away.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy that time her lips were turning blue, and I couldn\u2019t feel (any) breath or anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching the station, the officer blew the car horn, and firefighters immediately got to work saving the girl\u2019s life. After receiving oxygen, Carsyn seemed revived and soon woke up, though she didn\u2019t speak for at least an hour, McElvogue said.<\/p>\n