Central MN First Responders to be Honored For Saving Toddler

RICE -- Seven people will be honored with lifesaving awards after saving an 18-month boy near Rice.

The incident happened on August 15th when a mother called 911 to report her son Jace Josephson wasn't breathing. She had stopped her car on Highway 10 near Little Rock Road at about 5:00 p.m. to call for help.

At that time, Rice firefighter Blake Phenow was driving through the area in his personal vehicle and stopped to see if the woman needed help. Phenow noticed the boy wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat. Phenow began administering CPR until paramedics arrived.

State Trooper James Orlando and Benton County Sheriff's Deputy Ron Thomas soon arrived and continued life saving efforts until Gold Cross Ambulance arrived.

The paramedics, Jason Jacobson, Nick Engler, Amanda Cherne and Natascha Hennen were able to get the boy's heart beating again and he began breathing on his own.

Josephson was taken to St. Cloud Hospital and after several weeks of care is now at the Mayo clinic awaiting a heart transplant.

The seven first responders will be honored for their efforts at the October 17th Benton County board meeting.

You can learn more about Josephson's condition on the "Beats for Jace" facebook page. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help raise money for medical expenses.