A lunch monitor at a Long Island school attributed her maternal “instincts” to rescuing a second-grade student who started choking on a piece of pizza.
Francesca Augello, a lunch aide at Wood Park Primary School in Commack for six years, was conducting her usual cafeteria rounds on Friday when she noticed a student under her care behaving strangely, as reported by NBC New York.
During her rounds, Francesca Augello, a lunch aide at Wood Park Primary School in Commack, sprang into action to save a choking student, earning praise as a hero. NBC New York
“He was just staring at me, so I asked if he was OK, but he didn’t respond,” Augello recounted to the news outlet.
It was then that she realized that 7-year-old Grayson Molina was in distress, choking on his food.
“He just opened his mouth, he couldn’t talk, so right then I knew he was choking,” she added.
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Acting swiftly, the mother of three performed the Heimlich maneuver on the boy, dislodging the blockage from his throat and ultimately saving his life.
“As a mom, my natural instincts kicked in, so I did what I had to do. I saw a child in need of help, and I helped him,” Augello expressed.
The lunch aide and the student were reunited in the cafeteria on Tuesday, where the young seventh-grader expressed his gratitude for Augello’s timely intervention.
Grayson Molina, a 7-year-old student, was rescued by the aide after choking on a slice of pizza during lunchtime. NBC New York
The boy and his parents, Alexa and Paul Molina, had the opportunity to personally thank Augello on Tuesday. NBC New York
“She saved his life,” emotionally shared Grayson’s mother, Alexa Molina. “She acted just as she would have if it were her own children. Our family is forever grateful.”
Augello’s heroism extended beyond saving the second-grader’s life.
“It’s heartening to know that people think about others, care for them, and ensure their well-being. It makes you proud to be part of this community,” remarked the boy’s father, Paul Molina.
“The staff here is like family, showing genuine care and love for our children as if they were their own,” added the mother, praising the aides at the Long Island primary school.
Augello attributed her swift response to her maternal instincts in saving the student’s life. NBC New York
Augello’s prompt application of the Heimlich maneuver proved to be life-saving for the student. NBC New York
Following the incident, Grayson, who recovered well under Augello’s care, shared that he would always remember to chew his food thoroughly and opt out of pizza for lunch.
While the Molina family acknowledged the positive outcome of their son’s ordeal, they emphasized that it serves as a crucial reminder for educators to be well-versed in the Heimlich maneuver when working with children.
A legislative requirement mandates that at least one staff member in every school building must be trained in administering the Heimlich maneuver and be present during meal times.
The primary cause of nonfatal choking incidents in young children is attributed to food.
In the United States, a child dies from choking every five days, with over 12,000 children annually requiring hospitalization due to food-related choking incidents, according to the [source].
While various foods can pose a choking hazard, caregivers should also consider factors such as food size, texture, and shape when serving meals to children.