North Syracuse, NY – Third-grader Naethan Moegelin was at home with his uncle one evening during spring break last month in Mattydale. It was about 5 p.m. and Naethan decided to wake up his uncle for dinner. But his uncle wasn’t waking up. Naethan didn’t panic. Instead, he calmly called his mother and grandfather. His grandfather returned home and...
Roxboro Elementary third grader Naethan D. Moegelin, of Mattydale, is honored for helping save his uncle's life. To his left is Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Dell, a school resource officer in the North Syracuse school district.North Syracuse, NY – Third-grader Naethan Moegelin was at home with his uncle one evening during spring break last month in Mattydale. It was about 5 p.m. and Naethan decided to wake up his uncle for dinner. But his uncle wasn’t waking up.
Naethan didn’t panic. Instead, he calmly called his mother and grandfather. His grandfather returned home and called 911.
On the way to the hospital April 21, Naethan’s uncle went into cardiac arrest, according to Christopher Dell, an Onondaga County sheriff’s deputy and a school resource officer in the North Syracuse school district.
Paradmedics had to resuscitate Naethan’s uncle, but he is alive today.
“The ambulance crew said if Naethan had not called for help when he did his uncle likely would have perished,” Dell said describing the Roxboro Road Elementary pupil’s heroic efforts.
When the North Syracuse school board meets at 7 p.m. today, Naethan will be recognized for his courageous efforts to save his uncle’s life.
A week and a half after his uncle’s heart attack, Naethan also was honored at his school. Roxboro Road Elementary School principal Jacquelyn Grace-Rasheed and school psychologist Roseanne Parolin invited Dell to their weekly Friday morning program.
As Grace-Rasheed spoke to students and staff in the gymnasium, Parolin walked in and interrupted the principal. Parolin told Grace-Rasheed that there was a police officer there to see her.
“Right now?” she asked.
“He said it was important,” Parolin said.
Dell then walked into the gym and told Grace-Rasheed that he needed to speak to one of her students. “A low oooooo, was heard through out the crowd,” Dell said.
After Dell called Naethan Moegelin’s name, the school resource officer said “the oooooooo’s grew louder and Naethan looked as pale as a ghost as he walked up front.”
Dell then told the crowd that he was there for Naethan “because he was a hero.” He then explained how Naethan had helped save his uncle's life. Dell awarded him with a citizenship medal, a framed award certificate and a citizenship trophy. The crowd then erupted in cheers.
“We’re extremely proud of Naethan and the actions he took,” Dell said. “Just to take the time to do the right thing. I think a lot of children could learn from his actions that day.”