A GIFT OF LIFE: 'SANTA' BRINGS HELP FOR CHILD

SCOTT CITY -- In his role as a jolly "Rent-a-Santa," Terry Johnston is used to hearing about what children want for Christmas.

But, on Friday afternoon, Johnston was able to give a child something more special the gift of life.

Johnston, minus his Santa suit, was driving on Main Street in Scott City when he noticed a young woman standing in the road with a baby in her arms.

He stopped.

The baby, 18-month-old Megan Raines, daughter of Jamie and Adena Raines, had gone into convulsions and stopped breathing.

Johnston administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but to no avail.

He put the infant into his car and hurried her to the Scott City Fire Station, where an ambulance was called. While waiting for the ambulance, Johnston, fire chief Leslie Crump and fireman Jay Cassout continued to administer CPR.

"When the infant was brought into the fire house, she was lifeless and had no pulse," said Crump. "We initiated more artificial resuscitation. After a while, she revived and started breathing again. At that time, we administered oxygen until the ambulance arrived.

"When something turns out like this, it makes you feel good," added Crump. "But, the big link in the chain was Johnston stopping to help and bringing the baby to the station."

Megan was taken by ambulance to Southeast Missouri Hospital, where she was treated, and released late Friday night.

"When I saw the mother with the baby, I first thought the baby had fallen out the car," said Johnston. "When I saw what had happened, I proceeded with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. She wasn't responding, and I decided to take her to the fire station.

"I'm just happy that things turned out like they did," he said. "I know if my wife was in the same situation, I would want someone to help her."

Johnson, who runs a Scott City business he calls "Rent-A-Santa," said he had CPR training in the Army and National Guard.

"It was a miracle," said Mrs. Raines. "If Terry Johnston hadn't stopped, I don't know what would have happened."

Mrs. Raines said Megan had not been having problems previously.

"She had run a fever, but was feeling well," she said. "The baby was in an infant's car seat in the back seat of the car."

When Mrs. Raines saw the baby in convulsions, she immediately stopped the car, and took the baby from the seat.

"I was screaming for someone to stop and help," she said. "It seemed liked a long time that I stood there, with cars going by before Terry Johnston stopped."

This happened about 3:30 p.m. Friday

"It was Friday the 13th," said the Sharon Raines, the child's grandmother. "That is supposed to be an unlucky day. It was, in one way, but it was also a lucky day ... lucky for us that Terry Johnston saw it in his heart to stop and lend a helping hand. The baby is fine now."