St. Petersburg firefighter saves choking infant

ST. PETERSBURG — A firefighter saved the life of a choking infant on Monday afternoon.

Christina Miffin, 21, was working on her infant daughter's hair when 7-month-old De'Nia Davis reached into a bow box and stuck one in her mouth, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

The mother said she called 911 right away, but her daughter was already turning blue.

Firefighters responded to the 2:02 p.m. call for help at 442 42nd Ave. S. The mother ran outside to meet the firefighters carrying her daughter.

Acting Lt. Robert Neuberger turned the baby over and started delivering sharp blows to her back, authorities said.

On the 10th blow, the bow popped out of De'Nia's mouth.

"This was the first time that I did back blows on an infant and I'm sure glad it worked," Neuberger said, according to a St. Petersburg Fire Rescue press release.

De'Nia was not taken to a hospital at the mother's request. Fire Rescue reported that the infant was doing fine.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue invites the public to learn the same technique that Lt. Neuberger used to save De'Nia's life by taking a certified CPR course. Call (727) 892-5433 for more information.

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