Hamilton resident credited with saving infant’s life
By Kyle Kondor
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to Benlina Jones the day of December 3, 2013.
She was doing what she had done on and off for the last five years, caring for small children at her Hamilton home.
But, as Jones gathered the four children for their daily lesson, she noticed one had begun coughing fiercely. A 14-month girl, Neteri Savizon, began making her way towards Jones, in need of help. Before Neteri could make it to Jones, the child collapsed. A group of children that included Neteri’s 3-year-old brother, Kemsa, watched in horror.
In shock, Jones hesitated for a brief moment. But she knew what she needed to do. She dashed over to Neteri, who had turned blue, and began to use CPR.
“Neteri has very soft skin so I immediately saw the difference in complexion,” Jones said. “I looked at her and told myself that I can’t let this happen.”
Jones had just gotten her CPR certification renewed at a Robert Wood Johnson training clinic seven months prior, in April 2013. Using the skills she learned, Jones was able to help Neteri regain consciousness.
As soon as Jones realized that Neteri had a pulse, she called 911 and then scurried up the steps of her home to attend to the other children. After Neteri had been picked up by the ambulance, Jones opted to take the rest of the day off so she could recoup.
“I was just shook up,” Jones said. “The parents understood that I couldn’t go back to attending to children after that.”
On May 30, the Hamilton Police Division honored Jones for her actions last December, giving her a Civilian Service Award at the Hamilton Police Retirement and Awards dinner. Each year, the Civilian Service Awards is presented to a handful of individuals whose actions aided Hamilton law enforcement officers during an emergency.
In many cases, the award is given to a person who helped prevent a burglary, or to someone who acted quickly at the scene of a car accident. The police give Jones credit for something a bit more weighty—saving the life of 14-month-old Neteri Savizon.
“Nothing can compare to what Benlina Jones did that day,” Hamilton Police Benevolent Association president Mike Kane said. “That’s one of the most significant things you can do in life.”
Jones, who is the mother of three daughters all between the age of six and 13, was one of four individuals to receive the Civilian Service Award at the dinner in front of a crowd that consisted of close to 200 people. Yet Jones claims she didn’t realize the significance of what she was being honored for until she brought the award home to her children.
“My daughters told me that what I did was very important,” Jones said. “Being the humble spirit that I am I didn’t try to put this moment above anything else that I’ve done. I’m just happy that I was able to do what I did.”
Doctors determined that Neteri had suffered a cyanotic breath-holding spell. According to health website WebMD, a cyanotic spell is caused usually by a change in the child’s breathing pattern in response to feeling angry or frustrated. These types of spells are most common in children aged 1 to 3, and can occur as frequently as every day. They often cause a child to lose consciousness, but are usually not serious and don’t cause lasting damage. With time, the spells go away on their own.
According to Neteri’s mother Alethia Savizon, Neteri encountered a similar attack one week prior to the incident in Benlina Jones’ home. Savizon says Neteri immediately stopped breathing after she hit her head on a table while the family was at a restaurant in Philadelphia. She then took Neteri outside, and the infant began breathing about one minute later.
Neteri, who turns 2 in August, has withstood three cyanotic breath-holding spells so far, although her mother believes she has grown out of them.
“Neteri would get upset and me and my husband would try to talk her out of it,” Savizon said. “We’re glad that she has outgrown them.”
Just a few days after the daycare incident, the child was doing well and was back in the care of Jones.
“If it weren’t for Benlina Jones who knows what would’ve happened to my baby,” Alethia Savizon said. “The love she has for the children at her daycare made her react the way she did, and I appreciate that.”
Jones continues to care for children, including Neteri, in her home. She’s thankful her CPR training came in handy, and she put it to use successfully. But she’s OK if she only has to use it once.
“I hope that’s something I never have to do again,” Jones said.
Hamilton police chief James Collins, Benlina Jones, Hamilton mayor Kelly Yaede, PBA state delegate Tim Adams and Hamilton PBA president Mike Kane gather May 30, 2014 at the Hamilton Police awards dinner.,
