GEO News

The Aurora ICE Processing Center (AIPC) proudly honored two of our Resident Advisors, DiCarlo Garrett and Guadalupe Bautista, who recently showed outstanding response to a lifesaving event. Resident Advisor (RA) DiCarlo Garrett was assigned to a general population housing unit and RA Guadalupe Bautista was in the unit to provide resident escorts to medical. As RA Bautista was at the door, she observed through a window a resident who appeared to be in distress. The resident, who does not speak English, yelled “La Comida” to Bautista as he grabbed his throat and seemed to be having difficulty breathing. RA Bautista alerted RA Garrett, who quickly responded to the incident and called a medical emergency via his hand-held radio.  Before medical arrived on the scene, Garrett and Bautista assisted the resident to the dayroom. RA Garrett noticed that the resident was gasping for air and without hesitation began to administer abdominal thrusts, thereby successfully dislodging the food the resident was eating, clearing his airway. The resident was then taken to medical, where he was examined and released back to the housing area with no further health issues.

Resident Advisor Garrett is from Wilmington, Delaware. He proudly served our country in the United States Army with over 21 years of distinguished service, retiring in 1997 as an E7 Sergeant First Class, non-commissioned officer. It was in the military where RA Garrett developed a passion for saving lives, serving as a combat life saver and CPR instructor for over 25 years. RA Garrett has been employed at the Aurora ICE Processing Center for five years. He remains humble, consistent, and professional with co-workers and residents. He is a positive role model to all he encounters.

Resident Advisor Bautista is from South Gate, California. She worked Airport Security for five years prior to working for GEO, where ironically, she and RA Garrett worked together, with him as her trainer. RA Bautista has been employed with The GEO Group at the Aurora ICE Processing Center for three years. Her advice is, “Take every situation seriously as it could result in life or death.”