Off-Duty Nurse Saves Baby’s Life in Home Depot: 'She Turned Blue and Wasn’t Breathing'
- Off-duty nurse Annemarie Stanfield saved one-year-old Sophia Mahan after she stopped breathing inside a Home Depot store in Alabama.
- Stanfield immediately began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, helping stabilize the child.
- The Mahan family now considers Stanfield part of their family and credits her quick action for saving their daughter’s life.
- Inspired by the event, the family plans to get CPR certified and hopes their story encourages others to learn basic life-saving skills.
Nurse Annemarie Stanfield didn’t plan on saving a life during her shopping trip to Home Depot, but that’s exactly what happened when she sprang into action to help save one-year-old Sophia Mahan. In October, in the Shoals area, Annemarie’s quick response turned a routine errand into a life-saving mission. Her story is a powerful example of how nursing instincts can shine, even when we’re off the clock.
Join our newsletter for the latest nursing news and insights, and you could win a $50 gift card to Chipotle, Total Wine, or a coffee shop of your choice.
When Shopping Turns Into a Life-Saving Mission
According to sources, the Mahan family was simply out shopping when disaster struck. Little Sophia suddenly began seizing and lost her pulse. Her mother, Lindsay Mahan, described it as “the most terrifying moment” of her life. Many parents can relate to that kind of panic. The situation could have taken a tragic turn if not for Annemarie’s fast response.
Annemarie, who happened to be nearby, heard the commotion and rushed over. She expected to find an adult in distress, but instead found baby Sophia. “They had gotten her on the ground, and she was blue and wasn’t breathing,” Annemarie explained. Like any nurse, her first instinct was to get her breathing again. It was a reminder that nursing instincts never take a day off, even in a Home Depot aisle.
The Impact of CPR and Why It Matters
CPR remains one of the most effective lifesaving skills nurses can perform and teach. The American Heart Association reports that immediate CPR can double or even triple survival rates, yet fewer than 40 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive it from a bystander. This story is a reminder for all of us to keep our CPR skills current, not just for our patients but for our communities.
For Annemarie, her quick thinking was nothing short of nursing excellence. The Mahan family now calls her “an angel,” and it’s easy to see why. “Annemarie is just the most incredible woman,” Lindsay said. Annemarie herself remains humble, crediting faith over fate. “I have no power whatsoever over life and death,” she said. “But I think God has big plans for Sophia.”
The Ripple Effect of a Life-Saving Act
The experience has inspired the Mahans to become CPR certified and to encourage others to do the same. They hope their story motivates more people to learn lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross estimates that if more people were trained in CPR, as many as 50,000 additional lives could be saved each year.
For nurses, this story is a reminder of why we do what we do. It is not just about the shifts we work but about being ready to respond whenever and wherever we are needed. Our training makes us a lifeline for others, and stories like this show the impact we can make every day.
Today, baby Sophia is happy, healthy, and thriving. Her recovery proves how critical immediate action can be, especially for children. In emergencies, every minute counts, and quick intervention can make all the difference in outcomes.
This story continues to inspire nurses and non-nurses alike. It reminds us of the incredible role nurses play in their communities, whether they are on shift, off duty, or just running errands.
🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
