2 Social Workers Honored For Saving Baby's Life After Stabbing
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A surprise honor for two Social Services workers who helped save the life of a baby. They took swift action after the infant's mom stabbed her during a supervised visit.
Mike Hellgren spoke to the social worker who was in the room when things turned out of control.
The social worker was only five feet away. This case has prompted a review of security at the facility. On Thursday, those who rescued the child got some major recognition.
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Baltimore's Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake honored two Social Services workers as heroes for their calm during the chaos, on full display in the 911 calls.
911 Call: "Where's the baby?
Dana Hayes, social worker: "The baby has a knife in her."
Hayes: "I have a lady that just stabbed her baby."
Police say that last week, as Kenisha Thomas was having a supervised visit with her 8-month-old baby, she pulled out a knife and stabbed her.
Hayes was in the room. In her first interview, she tells WJZ she was frightened but quickly called for help.
"It's very terrifying. Still to this day," she said
"It's very rewarding when you see that you're able to step in and make a difference in everyone's lives," she said. "This is what we do every day. I wouldn't do anything less than what I want someone to have done for my child."
Colleague William Short III--a longtime counselor at the Social Services office--reportedly threw chairs at the mom to get her to stop stabbing her child and subdued her. Witnesses say she screamed, "I hope my baby is dead."
"How many people ever go to work and come home at the end of the day or even at the end of a career, and say 'In my career, in my calling, I saved a life?'" O'Malley said.
There were unforgettable moments as they risked their own lives to protect an innocent child.
"God bless you and thank you so much!" Rawlings-Blake said.
The baby's name is Pretty Diamond. She has been treated and released from the hospital.
