SAR recognizes deputy for saving baby's life

INVERNESS - On Nov. 17 at the Inverness Golf and Country Club, Lt. Larry "Buddy" Grant, Deputy Sheriff, was awarded the Sons of the American Revolution Law Enforcement Medal by the Withlacoochee Chapter SAR in recognition of his diligence and decisive action which saved the life of a 15-day-old baby.

On April 12, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office was alerted that a young woman in Inverness was unresponsive and her newborn baby could not be located.

Immediately, several deputies were dispatched to the residence and upon arrival discovered the young mother deceased, but the baby could not be located.

Grant arrived at the residence and again the premises were searched for the newborn, but to no avail. Sitting on the couch was a child about 2 years old.

Grant picked the child up and discovered the newborn baby was under the older child, and wedged between the back of the couch and the cushions. The baby was breathing laboriously, extremely hot, sweating and discolored. Grant quickly placed the baby in front of an air conditioning unit.

An urgent call was made to EMS and the baby survived.