Forsyth day care teacher saves 4-year-old choking on sandwich

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Forsyth County day care teacher is a hero after she rescued a 4-year-old who was choking.

Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen is in Cumming where he talked to teacher Amy Mincey and the boy’s mother.

Four-year-old Eli was eating lunch at Discovery Point day care when Mincey said she realized something was wrong.

“I turned back around and Eli stood up from the table,” Mincey said.  “When he stood up, I realized he was choking.”

Mincey didn’t waste a second. She performed the Heimlich Maneuver and dislodged a piece of a chicken sandwich from Eli’s throat.

Mincey said she has had first aid and CPR training every other year for the last 18 years, so she knew what to do.

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Eli’s mother, Amy Cousin, said it’s something no parent should have to go through.

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“Oh my gosh.  When I got the phone call, I literally just went numb,” Cousin said.

Cousin said Eli does remember “Miss Amy” slapping him on the back and then hugging him. He was immediately back to his old self, but Cousin said she’ll never forget what Mincey did.

“I’m just so grateful to her for saving my baby’s life,” Cousin said.

Mincey said she’s just glad to have Eli in her class and that she was there to help that day.

“He’s a sweet little munchkin,” Mincey said. “We have a lot of fun together!”

The daycare’s owner, Hows King, said they are proud of Mincey.

“We’re incredibly proud of Miss Amy,” King said. " She’s not only an amazing teacher, she’s an amazing person."

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