Two Long Island New York police officers and a 911 operator are all being called heroes for joining forces to save the life of a newborn baby who was unconscious and turning blue when cops arrived on the scene.
To save the child, officers Devin Humphreys and Steve Golub worked with the 911 operator, Dana Gunther once they arrived at the home of Katherine Leonard.
An unidentified male caller dialed the emergency number after Leonard had given birth on the bathroom floor and was in desperate need for help.
Leonard’s baby was unconscious, blue and had an umbilical cord around their neck, making it impossible for the child to breath as they laid in their mother’s arms.
Once the officers arrive, they comforted the new mother by saying, “I’m right here.”
The two cops first spotted the mother on the bathroom floor holding the baby.
Golub said that upon the sight, “…I immediately knew the baby was turning blue, and I knew the baby needed to start breathing.”
Humphreys first tried to clear it with his finger. Then the operator advised the officers to find something like a turkey baster or “anything with suction” to be used to removed the fluid in the nose, mouth and throat.
The only option that was handy was an eyedropper, officers grabbed it and immediately began using it to clear out the fluid, first in the child’s mouth.
“When I was clearing out her mouth, she bit me on the finger,” Humphreys said. “So I said that to mom, ‘She bit me. We’re getting good signs.’ She started to make little cries as I was going, so I knew it was working. So I kept going until EMS got there.”
Thanks to the male caller who reported the baby’s struggle, the mother and child went to a local hospital and are expected to make a complete recovery.
The Northport Police Chief, Bill Ricca said, “When you’re dealing with children, especially a newborn infant, the emotions can get the best of you.”
“Even though the most seasoned officer can turn around and hesitate, and these two officers just jumped right in and did what they had to do.”
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(H/T ABC News)