Post Office Staff and Police Officer Coverge to Save an Infant’s Life
July 29, 2026
An unsettling situation arose in a Clifton, Arizona post office when a routine package delivery turned into a life-threatening emergency for an 8-month-old baby who stopped breathing. This incident highlighted the presence of unexpected heroes in everyday settings.
Kylie Vega / FOX 10 Phoenix
The unsettling moment occurred as Kylie Vega noticed her baby, Nova, becoming limp while they visited the post office. “She was kind of going limp… so I started patting her back,” Vega explained.
In an instant, Kylie realized Nova was no longer breathing. A postal clerk, Mary Schwarz, who had previously worked as a nurse for 13 years, was nearby and quickly assessed the situation.
“There was no thinking in that situation,” Schwarz said. “I just jumped into action.”
Realizing the urgency, Schwarz began performing CPR after failing to detect a pulse. She executed back thrusts when informed by Vega that the infant might have choked while trying to vomit.
Clifton Police Lieutenant Shari Aguilar, who was nearby, promptly joined the rescue efforts. Familiar with Schwarz’s medical background, Aguilar collaborated with her to deliver critical care and decided to drive the baby to a clinic immediately.
“I knew time was of the essence, and we needed to get that baby to the hospital as soon as possible,” Aguilar remarked. As Aguilar drove, Schwarz continued to attend to Nova in the passenger seat. Remarkably, the baby resumed breathing halfway to the clinic, after which medical professionals took over.
Nova was subsequently moved to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, where she underwent surgery on July 21 to correct a hole in her heart. Nova’s mother disclosed that her daughter was born with this condition and lacked one of the necessary arteries, making her case particularly complex.
Reflecting on the incident, Schwarz expressed a desire for more individuals to learn CPR. “If you’re a homeowner and have a pool or there’s a choking incident with a child or a family member, it’s so important to have some kind of training to know what to do in that situation,” she said.
Vega expressed her profound gratitude towards those who aided her family. “I am very grateful that there’s kind people like that still in this world,” she shared. “I don’t know why this happened, but I’m grateful it went the way it did, and I can’t thank her enough.”
Vega further remarked about her daughter, “I know everyone says their child is special, but I really mean it. She’s special, and she’s the rainbow in our lives.”
This event also fostered a bond between Vega and Schwarz, who now keep in touch on Facebook, where Vega updates Schwarz on Nova’s steady recovery.
