Deputy Police Chief Jim Ryan of South Brunswick with Ayden and EMTs on Monday.

A grandmother was taking care of her one-year-old grandson on the afternoon of Sept. 8 when she noticed he was having trouble breathing and had become unresponsive. She called a relative, who then called 911.

South Brunswick Deputy Police Chief Jim Ryan happened to be just around the corner from the Quincy Circle home when the 911 call came in. He rushed to the home, where the little boy Ayden was in his grandmother’s arms, having a seizure. The boy was unresponsive. Ryan took hold of the boy, placed him on the floor, and cleared his airway before bringing him out to the South Brunswick EMS service as it arrived.

Emergency medical technicians Danna Meier and Dion Cradic, along with paramedics, worked to stabilize Ayden. The little boy continued to have a seizure and had to be placed on a ventilator. He was rushed to St. Peters University Hospital, where he remained on a ventilator for two days in intensive care. After over a week of treatment, he made a full recovery and was able to go home last Friday.

“When seconds count it is a team approach that makes all the difference. It is great to see such a positive outcome in what was a very scary situation,” South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.

On Monday, Sept. 19, Ayden’s mom and dad wanted to thank Ryan, Meier, and Cradic in person for their life-saving efforts. The parents credit the quick response by the deputy police chief and the EMTs for making all the difference in saving their child.

“We are so thankful for all they did,” Kelley Centeno said.

Ayden has returned to his normal activity now, crawling all over the home and laughing.