![Congressman Matt Gaetz recognized Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Pellicano of Pace Monday the Escambia County Commissioners meeting. On Jan. 16, Pellicano came upon an accident on his way to work at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. He first found the mother and helped her; then he gave a 17-month-old CPR after finding him unconscious. [AARON LITTLE | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-4fde5992-2bf0-063e-e053-0100007f06ed-66974913.jpeg)
PENSACOLA — Congressman Matt Gaetz wants Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Pellicano of Pace to receive credit for no small feat: helping to save a 17-month-old’s life.
Gaetz recognized Pellicano during Monday’s Escambia County Commissioners meeting, where attendees heard what happened one life-changing day.
On Jan. 16, Pellicano was driving to work at Naval Air Station Whiting Field when he noticed a car accident. As he approached the scene, he saw a woman bloodied from the accident.
After providing aid to the woman, Pellicano discovered a boy, Kaysin Willis, who also was bloodied. The child had no vital signs, prompting Pellicano to immediately, and successfully, administer CPR.
The child has since made a full recovery, according to a press release from Gaetz.
“I just thank God I was there at the right place at the right time,” Pellicano said to Escambia’s commissioners. “It was a really bad accident. I’m so grateful I was there to render aid … I’m just glad it turned out with Kaysin making a full recovery.”
Pellicano and his wife, Shenilla, and 11-year-old daughter Azriel and 9-year-old son Joseph visited Willis in the hospital several times, according to Shenilla.
“We saw him in a coma,” she said.
They visited again when he was waking up and becoming responsive, and when he made a trip to Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'I just thank God I was there'