LIBERTY – A Liberty police sergeant and dispatcher are credited with saving a two-year-old toddler who sustained severe cuts to his legs.
Village Police Chief Steven D’Agata said officers found the child bleeding uncontrollably when they responded to a 911 call at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.. They administered first aid while waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
The child was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill and transferred to Westchester Medical Center where he underwent surgery.
Investigation revealed the toddler was left unattended in a bathtub with several shards of broken porcelain from a broken toilet on the flood immediately next to the tub.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested Julie Degraw, 24, of Liberty, charging her with endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, assault, and recklessly causing injury.
In accordance with the state’s bail reform, she was released on her own recognizance.
D’Agata credited the “quick thinking and professional actions” of Police Sergeant Austin Sauer and dispatcher Jeffrey Ashdown with recognizing the child’s injuries were potentially life threatening and administered first aid.
In addition to being a police dispatcher, Ashdown is a trained EMT with Mobile Medic Ambulance Services.
“Ashdown provided immediate emergency medical care to the victim that probably saved his life,” said the chief.
