Chelsey and Aaron Mathiowetz welcomed their daughter, Chloe Alice, on Jan. 3 in Marshall. Chloe is the first baby born at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in 2026.

MARSHALL — They didn’t know for sure if they would be having a “new year’s” baby. But Chelsey and Aaron Mathiowetz of Marshall said that when they went to the hospital for the birth of their daughter, they knew it might be a possibility.

Chelsey Mathiowetz said that when they got to Avera Marshall Medical Center late last week, “We were told we were the only ones on the floor.”

The Mathiowetzes’ daughter, Chloe Alice, was the first baby born at Avera Marshall in 2026. Chloe was born at 4:02 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3. She weighed 6 pounds and 12 ounces, and was 20 inches long, Aaron said. Chloe is the couple’s first child.

Chelsey and Aaron said they had been looking forward to Chloe’s arrival. The baby’s middle name, Alice, has connections to Chelsey’s family, and Chloe was a name that felt right, they said.

As it turned out, Chloe was also born on the same day in January as Avera Marshall’s first baby of 2025. Chelsey said they had received a gift basket from Hunter and Kayleigh Kontz, whose son Wyatt was born at Avera Marshall on Jan. 3, 2025.

Aaron Mathiowetz said he and Chelsey were thankful for the support they had received as they welcomed their child.

“We’re thankful for all the help we’ve gotten,” he said. “Everyone involved has been great.”