A Mentor family for the first time met the two 911 dispatchers who helped deliver their baby late last year.
Cole Marshall called 911 at 1:53 a.m. on Dec. 30. He and his wife Amanda were on their way to the hospital before her water broke and she started to go into labor.
At this point, it was too late to go the hospital. Cole had to deliver the baby in the bathroom, while 911 dispatcher Ashley Wayman gave him instructions.
"[The baby] had other plans.” Amanda said.
On the phone, Wayman was walking Cole through the process. The other 911 dispatcher, Tim Johns, was feeding information to the paramedics who were en route. However, their daughter was not in the mood to wait for them. She was ready to come out.
Within one minute, Cole could see her head. The next minute, she was out. Lourdes Marshall was born at 1:55 a.m. weighing 6 lbs., 12 oz. She was born just two minutes after the 911 call.
“We weren't ready,” Amanda said.
Wayman and Johns have been dispatchers for nearly a decade combined. Johns says he’s helped deliver a baby before, but this one was much different.
“This is my second one, but [it was] never this quick,” Johns said.
The two met Cole and Amanda, along with Lourdes, at Mentor’s dispatch center on Wednesday. It was the first time they saw the family and baby since the 911 call in December.
“Adorable little girl,” Johns said. “Absolutely beautiful.”
“It was wonderful to actually hold the child and give the mom a hug,” Wayman said.
They exchanged gifts, hugged, and laughed about that unforgettable 911 call. Wayman’s kids even got a chance to meet Cole and Amanda’s children. The two are incredibly grateful for the dispatchers and their help in delivering the newest addition to their family.
"It's nice knowing someone else is on the other line able to help out,” Cole said.
“Hopefully we can bring her back when she gets a little bit older and understands her birth story,” Amanda said.
It’s a story none of them will ever forget.
"She came out screaming and that was the most wonderful sound.” Wayman said.