Watch CBS News

Baby Alive After Quick Actions By Police Officer

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A baby boy is alive, thanks to the quick actions of a Chicago Police officer.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports, Officer Christopher Elliott of the Shakespeare District was in his squad car filling out a traffic crash report at the Citgo station at Diversey, Western and Elston avenues, when he says a man approached him needing help for his baby.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports

Podcast

The officer ran up to the frantic man's car, where he found a 15-month-old baby not breathing.

"I grabbed the baby and I said, you know, 'Is it choking?' So I just started tapping it on the back, and as I was tapping it, the baby started to vomit out some food, and as soon as it was vomiting, it started to cough it started to cry, and started breathing again," Officer Elliott said.

The child was rushed to Children's Memorial Hospital in good condition.

Officer Elliott says he fell back on training he received in the military, and with the Police Department, which trains all of its officers in CPR. He says each day at work is great but it's even better when you save a life.

"It feels great! I'm just happy that the baby is alive, 'cause you know, the kid's really cute!" he says.

Elliott says he knows what it feels like to choke.  When he was 15, he choked on a piece of candy while at church.  A man hit him on the back and out came the candy.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.