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Chief: Three men who revived girl deserve an honor
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NEW GLARUS - Three men soon could be honored for their roles in saving a 23-month-old girl who nearly drowned Nov. 24.

New Glarus Police Chief Steve Allbaugh will request the committee present the New Glarus Police Life Saving Award to Sgt. Jeffery Sturdevant, and present the civilian Life Saving Award to firefighter James Moldenhauer and Jeffrey Babler.

Allbaugh plans to recommend the village's Public Safety Committee, on Dec. 9, recognize the three men.

In a news release issued Saturday, Allbaugh said Sturdevant responded to a call at Babler's home, located at 813 2nd St., at about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24.

An investigation revealed the girl had been in the bathtub with her 6-year-old sister when she slipped and hit her head. The baby lost consciousness and slipped under the water.

Initially, the child wasn't breathing and didn't have a pulse.

Babler removed the baby from the water and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Sturdevant began chest compression. Moldenhauer took steps to maintain the child's breathing and heartbeat.

"Together they were able to revive the child, who was later transported to the hospital," Allbaugh said.

The child was treated and released from the hospital.

An investigation determined the incident was an accident, which could have led to tragic results had it not been for the three men, Allbaugh said.

He said they not only saved the child's life but also prevented any permanent damage to her.