Cops help mother deliver baby
Sergeant Kidan McCoy is a father of three, but on Tuesday, when he and his team - consisting of Constables Shaniah Salmon, Gavin Hall and Nicole Williams - were tasked with assisting with the delivery of a baby, his nerves were in shambles.
However, the 22-year veteran of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) mustered up the courage, and within minutes, the bouncing baby girl was able to take her first breath outside the womb.
"I am trained when it comes on to crisis situations, so although I was in shock, my colleagues and I were able to deal with it. It was my first time carrying out this course of action. I know of other JCF members who have assisted with this process, but seeing this unfolding right in front of me, and I am taking part, was surreal. I am a father of three and I never saw any of my children being born," McCoy said.
McCoy, who is attached to the Community Safety and Security Branch at the Kingston West Police Division, said the team was conducting mobile patrol duties when they received a call about a woman in labour in Arnett Gardens.
"We proceeded to the location and it was there and then that the lady's head water (amniotic fluid) decided to break," he said. He stated that within minutes of the team's arrival, the woman gave birth.
"The baby was removed and we wrapped up the child, and of course we had to secure the placenta and the umbilical cord, and we put them in a bath pan and we safely assisted the female to the vehicle, and from there to the [Victoria Jubilee] Hospital and handed them over to the nursing staff there," he said.
McCoy said the mother, Michaela Dawson, told him that she was given a November due date, but her little girl decided to arrive weeks early. He also stated that he was taken aback by those around her who refused to help although she was in an advanced state of delivery when the police team arrived.
"She was there with family members but you know, as usual in these places, I don't know why we live so bitter amongst each other.
"I can just imagine if we weren't there, probably the mother or child would not be alive today. Nobody was willing to assist in that regard," he said.
The sergeant said the lawmen are elated to have gone beyond the call of duty.
"We were at the hospital the whole time and the staff attended to her and she came back out and we took some pictures with her and we are just happy to welcome another bouncing baby girl," McCoy said.