The 2019 Utah Department of Corrections Awards Ceremony was hosted on Thursday. During this ceremony, local agents and cousins Aaron and John Powell were both awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the department. The duo was recognized with this award as recognition of a situation that they encountered back in October of 2018.
This incident occurred on Oct. 10 when the two agents conducted a field visit at the home of a male and female offender. Once they arrived, they soon discovered that the woman had given birth in the home, around nine hours earlier, and was in distress. However, she would not go to the hospital due to using illegal drugs with an arrest warrant in her name.
John and Aaron also noticed that the child was shaking uncontrollably and the umbilical cord had been tied with a shoe lace. At that time, the agents provided basic medical care to the newborn, also contacting EMS.
From there, the child was transported to the hospital and placed in the intensive care unit. It was stated that Aaron and John’s actions during the stressful situation, while also staying calm in a harried environment, were prudent in safeguarding the infant’s life.
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- John Powell (left) and Aaron Powell (right)
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- John Powell with his wife following the ceremony.
