Tristan Smith
masslive.com
(TNS)
A typical road detail transitioned into a life-saving moment for two Springfield police officers once they sprung into action after hearing a mother cry out for someone to help save her choking baby.
At approximately 2 p.m. last Monday, officers Christopher Charles and Luis Rodriguez were working a traffic detail at the intersection of Bradley and Wilbraham Roads when a vehicle approached the work zone, officials said.
A woman ran out of the car and screamed that her baby wasn’t breathing. Officers immediately ran to the vehicle and aided the 3-month-old baby girl. Police said the infant appeared to be pale, choking and gasping for air.
Video of the incident was captured on the responding officers’ body camera. Full video of the incident can be viewed here.
The footage begins moments after Charles removes the baby from her car seat. He beings administering infant-based CPR to the child. The officer can be seen placing the baby face down on his forearm and patting her back to help clear the baby girl’s airway.
Officer Rodriguez notified paramedics and checked in on another child present in the car.
Less than a minute after the CPR procedure, Charles yelled “I’m good, she’s crying!” The baby started to breathe again.
The officer proceeded to massage the baby’s back, ensuring everything stuck inside the infant’s airway was cleared out — Charles handed the baby back to her mother a couple of minutes later.
“Thank you,” the baby’s mother said to the officers as she cried grasping onto her child.
AMR paramedics arrived soon after and transported the baby to an area hospital for further evaluation, officials said. The baby was released from the hospital later on Monday.
“I am so proud of these officers who immediately took action, kept their composure in a stressful situation and worked together to help this baby,” Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said. “Officers start every shift not knowing what they may face that day or how they may be able to make an impact, and I am thankful that they were in the right place at the right time to use their training to save a life.”
Springfield Mayor Sarno also released a statement on the incident
“God Bless! First of all, I am very happy that mom and baby are doing well and healthy,” Sarno said. “Such a beautiful child and loving mother whose quick thinking to pull over after seeing the officers working a road detail, I am so relieved that our brave and dedicated officers were able to offer assistance and utilize their training to save the life of this precious child.”
©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
