South Lake Tahoe 911 dispatcher helps dad deliver his baby

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As many mothers will tell you, 20 minutes isn't very long from the time a woman's water breaks to the time her baby is born. That is exactly what happened in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, June 23.

911 dispatcher Rachel Carlson answered a call that night from Theodore Tofanelli. His girlfriend had gone into labor in their Sierra Vista apartment at the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe and there was no time to get her to the hospital.

When Rachel answered, Theodore told her his girlfriend Gisele Aldana was in active labor and he could see the baby's head. Rachel stepped into action per their Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures and helped dad through all of the steps of delivery.

Rachel, a seven-year veteran of the South Lake Tahoe Police Dispatch team and a mom of three, reassured Theodore that help was on the way.

"Dad did a great job," said Rachel. "He stayed very calm."

As Rachel was guiding Theodore, fellow dispatcher Jen Canin was listening and coordinating with first responders and keeping them updated on the situation each step of the way.

He was ready to tie off the umbilical cord as South Lake Tahoe Fire/Rescue and Cal Tahoe JPA paramedics arrived. Theodore wrapped his son in a towel and placed him on Gisele's chest and went out to direct the first responders to his apartment.

"He was a great partner," Rachel said of Theodore. "He listened to all instructions."

"It was pretty exciting," added Rachel."The baby was crying, that's all I cared about."

Gisele was still 9 days from her due date, so going into labor was a big surprise to the couple.

"It was pretty scary, a little shocking, and a bit crazy at the beginning," said Theodore but then as he was listening to instructions from Rachel he got situated and the rest went well.

Gisele's almost-three-year-old daughter was at home when all of this was going on. She was overwhelmed by the situation and left the room, but is now pretty excited about having a baby brother.

Malakai was born at 11:01 p.m. on June 23 and was 5 lb. 13 oz. Both he and Gisele were transported to Barton but they were both okay and returned home.

"They are both home, doing fine - doing really well," said Theodore.

The couple is looking for a bed to replace the one where Malakai was born. If anyone can assist them with a bed, please contact Theodore at 775.502.2714 or by email at teddytofanelli@yahoo.com.