First Baby Born In Utah County In 2012 Is From Santaquin

Little William Ike Bennett became Santaquin and Utah County’s newest resident on New Year’s morning

Santaquin’s newest resident was born to the sound of fireworks.

He was the first baby born in Utah County in 2012 and Santaquin will be his first home.

Helping the Bennett family usher in the New Year, little William Ike Bennett was born in Utah Valley Regional Medical Center at 12:30 a.m. on Jan 1, 2012.

Ike’s proud parents are Chase and Necia Bennett of Santaquin. They both said they were happy to have their first baby with them, healthy and strong. Weighing in at 7.5 lbs and measuring 20 inches long, Ike’s delivery went smoothly.

The original due date was set for Jan 5, but Necia was admitted early Saturday morning and endured a 17-hour-long labor before Ike was born.

“The doctor was thinking we’d have him around 4:00 p.m.,” said Chase Bennett. He and his wife both thought they were going to have a New Year’s Eve baby.

Little Ike had other plans.

“He come in with a bang,” said Ike’s grandfather, Santaquin resident Wade Eva. “Fireworks were going off when he was born.”

As midnight approached, Necia Bennett said the nurses told her it was time to have the baby. Her family was there to support her.

“All the girls out in the hall were chanting and cheering,” said Necia.

She joked about how the ongoing New Year’s celebration outside of the hospital distracted everyone for a moment. “When (the baby) was coming the fireworks started going,” said Necia. “Everybody stops and runs over to the window to look at the fireworks.”

Her husband didn’t care whether or not Ike would be the first baby born in 2012, he was just worried about his wife and child. “I was just trying to stay on my feet,” said Chase.

When it became apparent that Ike might be the first born in Utah County, the nurses hit the phones to call other hospitals.

“They were calling all the hospitals to see if we’d be the first baby in Utah County,” said Shantel Eva, Ike’s grandmother.

Ike was named Utah County’s first baby of 2012 officially, coming in moments before another baby at Alta View Hospital north of Utah County in Sandy.

Ike’s other grandparents, Ralph and Rhonda Bennett of West Mountain (Payson), were also there in support.

Showing true grandmotherly love for her now tenth grandchild, Rhonda said “Doesn’t matter if he’s the first or the tenth he’s special all the same.”

Ike will be surrounded by family when he gets home; his other grandma, Carmen Eva, is also from Santaquin.

Ike’s parents were given flowers and a $100 gift certificate to Shopko to celebrate and Ike will be on his way back to his new home in Santaquin soon.

Ike’s great grandparents are Frank &  Joyce Nowers and Andy & Julie Boregeson (of Mona).

Note: First baby born in Utah was born 5 seconds after midnight in Ogden