PARIS — Zoey Freligh was enjoying a sleepover with her grandmother two months ago when she awoke about 3:30 a.m. and realized something was wrong.
Zoey Freligh, 9, of Paris sits with her mother, Abby, while being honored Tuesday evening at the Paris Town Office. Her quick and calm actions in calling 911 and assisting medics are being credited with saving her grandmother’s life during a sleepover two months ago in Paris. Steve Sherlock/Sun Journal
The 9-year-old discovered that her grandmother was unresponsive and was not breathing normally.
With coolness and calmness, Zoey called 911, described the breathing sound and told the dispatcher that her grandmother needed help. Paris officials say Zoey’s actions saved her grandmother’s life.
“We would have had a different outcome if she hadn’t acted like she did,” said Paris Patrol Officer Nathan Bowie, who was the first person to arrive at the scene that August morning.
Prior to Tuesday’s selectmen meeting, the Paris Police Department gathered with the dispatcher who took the call, the responding ambulance crew and others to honor the Paris resident for her “calm manner, maturity and focused actions,” Police Chief Michael Dailey said in a statement.
Bowie added that she deserved to be recognized publicly for her quick and heroic actions.
During the ceremony at the Town Office, town officials and members of the community presented Zoey with numerous bags of gifts, including art supplies, gift cards for meals and her education, flowers and a new bicycle. Pace Ambulance gave her a hat and an offer for her to ride along with them when she gets older. The Oxford County Regional Communications Center presented her with a pink sweatshirt with the phase, “Not all heroes wear capes.”
On behalf of the Police Department, Dailey presented her with a certificate of commendation which said, “In recognition of your courageous actions during an emergency situation. Your calmness and informative actions contributed to the saving of your grandmother’s life on Aug. 27, 2022.”
Finding her grandmother in need of medical attention that Saturday morning, Zoey called 911 and told the dispatcher that her grandmother was a diabetic and described her symptoms.
“She said something was wrong with Nana and she needed help,” Oxford County dispatcher Cheryl Coffin said.
Saying she was calmer than most adults who call, Coffin said Zoey described where they were and answered all of her questions while awaiting help. When the address did not line up well on the 911 system, Zoey provided accurate directions to the residence.
After Bowie arrived, Zoey confirmed Bowie’s identity with dispatch before letting him into the house.
While Bowie was treating the grandmother with juice boxes that Zoey had given him while awaiting an ambulance, Zoey took it upon herself to call her grandmother’s sister, who lived in Massachusetts, which allowed first responders to have information on her medical history. Zoey also helped move furniture to allow a path for a stretcher and with no prompting, moved the family dog into a separate room to keep the pet out of the way.
“After many years in this job, you get a little jaded,” Bowie said. “This girl helped to restore my faith in the younger generation.”
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