Man uses turkey baster to help save struggling baby

File photo of turkey baster (Thinkstock)
File photo of turkey baster (Thinkstock)

A quick-thinking good Samaritan helped save a baby's life by using a turkey baster to clear the baby's airway and nasal passage.

Local station KSN.com reports that 5-month-old Nessa Shoup of Ludington, Mich., was having trouble breathing while under the care of two baby sitters. One of them called 911.

Bill Hogenson happened to be working nearby and overheard the conversation. He ran into the house and found the baby, who was turning blue and appeared unable to breathe.

Hogenson peformed CPR on Nessa, but the baby continued to struggle.

He told KSN:

"I went into the drawer and found a turkey baster and used the turkey baster to clear her nasal passage and her airway," Hogenson described.

He patted her on the back, spun her around and saw a good sign.

"She smiled at me, and I knew we were going to be in the good," Hogenson said.

Nessa's father, Shawn Gasciogne, told KSN, "If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have this beautiful baby here right now and we are forever grateful."

Hogenson told KSN that he feels he and Nessa will have a "bond for life."