The first child born in Pearl River County at Highland Community Hospital, Aria Marie-Claire Mendel, saw her father for the first time via Facetime.
That’s because her father was deployed with the United States Air Force in Japan.
Aria was born on Sunday to Elizabeth and Luke Mendel. Her birth was scheduled to be induced on Wednesday, but she was born before that date, Elizabeth said. Since Luke was overseas at the time, the only way he could participate in the birth of his daughter was via the Internet chatting service. But by Monday evening, he was back stateside so he could see the new addition to his family face to face.
Luke is from Pearl River, La., while Elizabeth is a native of Pearl River County.
As is tradition at Highland Community Hospital, the parents of the first child born at the facility each year is provided with a basket full of baby supplies such as diapers, baby medication, wipes, grooming supplies and clothes.