A routine EMS call turned into a remarkable experience for two Texas County Memorial Hospital first responders when they helped deliver a baby in the back of an ambulance on Saturday, May 10.
Joe Bogowith, paramedic, and Dillon Webb, EMT-B, were transporting expectant mother Marley Kerkhoff from Mountain Grove to Mercy Hospital in Springfield when labor rapidly progressed. With no time to spare, baby Magnolia Elizabeth was born at 10:45 a.m., weighing 6 lbs. 7 oz. and measuring 20 inches long—just as the ambulance arrived at the hospital.
Neither Bogowith nor Webb had delivered a baby before, but both remained calm and professional throughout. “These men handled it with grace, confidence, and compassion,” said Lisa Manfredi, Marley’s mother, who was visiting from California and witnessed the delivery firsthand.
Marley expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the paramedics, saying, “They provided the best care and were so calm, which I really appreciated. It turned out to be such a wonderful experience that I will always remember.”
As a thank-you, Lisa sent the EMS team stork pins and photos to commemorate the special moment. “We hope they serve as a reminder of the special role they played in welcoming Magnolia into the world,” she said.
The event was a first for the EMS team and a memorable milestone for everyone involved. As Marley noted, “They are true heroes, and it was definitely the best situation possible, given the circumstances.”
