Moment disabled boy, 7, is saved from choking to death by neighbor

An Illinois child with a rare genetic condition was saved from choking to death by his heroic neighbor.

Mom Stephanie George, of Shorewood, panicked when her son Sebastian, 7, started choking on a piece of non-blended chicken while he was being tube fed.

The boy has Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a condition that causes growth deficiency and feeding difficulties, among other issues.

The horrified mother told 6ABC her son began throwing up and turning blue. 

George then rushed across the street to ask her neighbor, Gary Hutchinson, for help.

Footage from a Ring doorbell camera show Hutchinson springing into action - placing Sebastian over his knee and patting the child's back.

George said her first thought was to call 911, but she feared emergency responders would not arrive in time to save the boy. 

Hutchinson said he has gone through CPR training three or four times, but has never had to actually perform the life-saving measure.

'I guess you don't know what to expect. That was the first time I had helped anybody,' he told 6ABC.

'Of course, we practice on the babies as well and I did it exactly the way I was trained to.

'They taught us in the class: When you need it, you'll know it.'  

Reflecting on the incident, George described her neighbor's reaction after saving her child's life. 

The relieved mother told 6ABC that Hutchinson even apologized. 'He was like, "Did I scare you? Are you okay? Is he okay?" 

'Because Sebastian's nonverbal...he can't tell us "Okay, the piece is out" or "I can breathe now." 

'So, I think him being special needs takes it to a different level.'

Mayo Clinic pediatrician Dr. Grace Arteaga revealed to DailyMail.com what people should do when a baby is choking. 

She explained that a small child who is choking should be put face-down on someone's lap or another surface. 

The person should then pat the baby's back until the food or item is dislodged.

She said for children aged one to eight, the Heimlich maneuver may be more appropriate and helpful.