Post Office Worker Saves 8-Month-Old Baby After She Suddenly Stops Breathing

July 29, 2026

When an 8 month old baby suddenly stopped breathing inside a small Arizona post office, what could have become a tragedy instead became a powerful reminder that everyday heroes can be found anywhere.

Kylie Vega / FOX 10 Phoenix

An ordinary trip to mail a package in the town of Clifton turned into every parent's nightmare when Kylie Vega noticed her baby daughter, Nova, going limp.

"She was kind of going limp... so I started patting her back," Vega recalled.

Within moments, she realized her 8 month old had stopped breathing.

Fortunately, someone uniquely qualified to help was standing just a few feet away.

Postal clerk Mary Schwarz, a former nurse with 13 years of experience, immediately rushed from behind the counter.

"There was no thinking in that situation," Schwarz said. "I just jumped into action."

Unable to find a pulse, Schwarz immediately began CPR. After overhearing Vega tell a 911 dispatcher that Nova may have choked after trying to vomit, she also performed back thrusts in an effort to clear the baby's airway.

Help arrived even faster when Clifton Police Lieutenant Shari Aguilar, who happened to be nearby, responded to the emergency. Knowing Schwarz's nursing background, Aguilar teamed up with her to continue lifesaving care before making the quick decision to drive the infant to a nearby clinic.

"I knew time was of the essence, and we needed to get that baby to the hospital as soon as possible," Aguilar said.

As Aguilar drove, Schwarz held Nova in the front passenger seat and continued caring for her. About halfway to the clinic, the baby finally began breathing again before medical staff took over.

Nova was later transferred to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, where she underwent surgery on July 21 to repair a hole in her heart. According to her mother, Nova was born with a hole in her heart and without one of the arteries needed to support it, making her medical journey especially challenging.

Looking back on the frightening experience, Schwarz hopes it encourages more people to learn CPR.

"If you're a homeowner and have a pool or there's a choking incident with a child or a family member, it's so important to have some kind of training to know what to do in that situation," she said.

Vega says she will never forget the strangers who stepped in when her family needed them most.

"I am very grateful that there's kind people like that still in this world," she said. "I don't know why this happened, but I'm grateful it went the way it did, and I can't thank her enough."

Speaking about her daughter, Vega added, "I know everyone says their child is special, but I really mean it. She's special, and she's the rainbow in our lives."

The incredible experience also created an unexpected friendship. Vega and Schwarz have since connected on Facebook, where the grateful mom continues sharing updates on Nova's recovery with the woman whose quick actions helped save her daughter's life.