Woman delivers baby near highway with help of 'quick thinking' deputy: "Not the original birth plan"
A mom-of-six unexpectedly gave birth to her baby on Highway 60 with the help of a deputy in Hillsborough County in Florida. The driver of the vehicle panicked as he approached the deputy, Master Deputy Daniel "Red" Jones, on the side of the highway stating that his pregnant wife was about to give birth. Jones then "sprang into action" and just minutes later, the baby was born in the front seat of the car. While the woman was in labor, Jones offered her enough emotional reassurance through the process and even cracked a couple of jokes to put the woman at ease.
A video shared by the sheriff’s office shows the deputy providing emotional support for the woman as she goes into labor. The deputy could be seen telling the woman to "breathe" as he took her hand. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, this wasn’t the first time Jones had been part of childbirth and he used his training to ensure another safe delivery. In fact, this was the officer's third time helping to deliver a baby in an emergency situation since joining the team. “I am extremely proud of Master Deputy Jones’ quick actions and dedication to serving our community,” Chronister said according to Gray News. “This is his third time assisting with delivering a baby!”
Toward the end of the bodycam footage, the woman told the officer that her baby was "coming." The video then cuts to show the officer holding up the baby girl to her mother. Soon after the delivery Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and took the mother and newborn to the hospital for evaluation.
Jones has been with Hillsborough County since December 2001 and said he was "thrilled" to help deliver the baby. He even jokingly recommended that the couple name the baby "Red" after him. The officer's sense of humor, quick thinking and response, and training had been applauded by authorities. They were glad he was able to tend to the woman with kindness and quick action during the hectic situation.
"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," the sheriff said per PEOPLE. "I wish mom, dad, and their new baby girl all the joy and happiness. Congratulations!"