Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Allseitz receives citation for saving sister's life

Jonathan Allseitz, a fifth grader at Cabe Middle School, has received a citation from the American Red Cross for his role in saving his sisters life.

This is a big wow, said Mikki Hastings, director of health and safety for the Diamond Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Hastings said this the highest award presented to an individual. The award is signed by the U.S. President, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross.

Hastings said Allseitz is the first recipient of this citation in this area. In fact, there were some 5.3 million people who took advantage of the Red Cross training during the 2004-5 year, and only 55 people in the nation were awarded the citation for using those skills.

To receive the citation, a person must have used life saving techniques learned during Red Cross training to save a life in a real life situation, according to Hastings.

State Senator Percy Malone presented the award to Allseitz at the middle school on May 23. Malone called the citation a really big deal.

In our midst today, we have a true hero, Malone said.

The citation outlines the events that led to the award, and Malone read those to the assembly.

On Dec. 5, 2004, Jonathan Allseitz, trained in American Red Cross Basic Aid Training, helped save the life of his 19-month-old sister, Gabrielle Baker. Gabrielle was taking her bottle, but dropped it - she was having a seizure due to a fever. Gabrielles mother went to get water for Gabrielles face and told her sister to call 9-1-1. Jonathan told his mom to push on Gabrielles stomach and breathe into her. His mothers breah was coming back so he knew something was blocking the airway. Gabrielles tongue was blocking the airway.

Jonathan told his mom to move her tongue and to breathe into her again. By the time help arrived, Gabrielle was breathing. Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course and used by Jonathan Allseitz contributed to saving the life of his sister, Gabrielle.

For this act, Jonathan Allseitz has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit.