A police officer in the US state of Florida is receiving acclaim for assisting a mother who was giving birth on the side of a highway while sitting in the front seat of her automobile. On Sunday, a scared motorist on Highway 60 in Plant City contacted Deputy Daniel ‘Red’ Jones of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. According to the New York Post, when the husband told Jones that his heavily pregnant wife was ready to give birth to their sixth child, she moved without delay, calling the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and racing to her side.
Body cam footage shows the stress as Jones encourages and consoles the woman while also pleading with her to hold in an effort to put off the birth. “She’s ready to go, huh, she’s ready to go!” he says. “Breathe through, mama, breathe through. Has your water broken?” “Yes,” she replies. “You have to let me know if the baby’s coming, OK? Is this your first baby,” he asks the mother, holding her hand. She says, “This is the sixth!” “Six! Woo! The astonished officer shouts, “Y’all need a better hobby!” which makes the rest of the group laugh. “Keep breathing, okay? I’m not gonna move you,” he says. “I know it hurts but you’ve been through this before.”
Jones tells her not to move while she cries out in pain because “if I change the position on her, the baby’s gonna come”
Jones tells her not to move while she cries out in pain because “if I change the position on her, the baby’s gonna come.” Nature, however, didn’t wait for anyone. “Don’t push! Don’t push!” he pleads.“She’s pushing,” the mom says. “She’s coming!” Later, an ecstatic Jones is shown holding the baby. “I told you I didn’t want to deliver a baby!” he shouts in glee as the newborn cries. “Ooooh, pretty little girl! That’s a beautiful sound, Mama!” Later, first responders took the mother and child to a nearby hospital. Jones received praise from Sheriff Chad Chronister for his quick action.
“I am extremely proud of Master Deputy Jones’s quick actions and dedication to serving our community in any capacity,” Chronister said in a statement. “This is his third time assisting a citizen with delivering a baby! While delivering in the front seat of a car was not the original birth plan, Master Deputy Jones reassured the mother of six that she was in good hands,” he said. “I want to thank the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department for having amazing officers that helped us to deliver our baby girl at Highway 60,” the newborn’s father said.