A frantic drive to the hospital took a dramatic turn at a red light on East Colfax Avenue on Monday, when an Aurora police officer performed nearly five minutes of CPR on a week-old baby who had stopped breathing, according to police. The infant’s family had been headed for emergency care when the mother jumped out of the car at North Sable Boulevard, ran to the officer’s vehicle, and begged for help. Aurora Fire Rescue later took over and escorted the baby to a hospital for further treatment.
Officer Steps In At Colfax And Sable
According to a post by the Aurora Police Department, the officer immediately began CPR on the baby at the intersection and continued for nearly five minutes. While working to keep the infant alive, the officer talked with the family in both English and Spanish, trying to calm them and gather critical information. The department said Aurora Fire Rescue arrived and took the baby, then escorted the ambulance to a hospital. No additional medical details were released in the post, so the child’s condition has not been publicly disclosed.
What Caregivers Should Know About Infant Choking
The department’s message also came with a warning for parents and caregivers: learn infant CPR and how to respond to choking before an emergency happens. A small airway can become blocked in seconds, and that can turn life-threatening just as fast. The American Heart Association recommends alternating five firm back blows with five chest thrusts for infants under 1 year old who are choking. Caregivers are advised to keep repeating that sequence until the object comes out or the infant becomes unresponsive, and to call 911 right away.
Local Training And Emergency Response
The Aurora Public Safety Training Center provides first aid and CPR instruction for recruits and current officers, helping prepare them for exactly the kind of crisis that unfolded on Colfax. The city backs community preparedness programs that include CPR training, and hospitals and community groups across the Denver metro area also offer infant-focused classes aimed at parents, grandparents, and other caregivers.
Why Quick Action Matters
Foreign-body airway obstruction and respiratory arrest remain major causes of pediatric emergencies, which is why experts emphasize fast bystander response. Medical literature notes that prompt CPR and airway maneuvers can significantly improve the odds of a good outcome, a point that clinicians and officials echoed as the department urged families to get infant CPR training in its social media post. For more on the risks and recommended first-aid steps, see clinical guidance from NCBI on choking and airway obstruction.
