Arizona Deputies Perform Lifesaving Rescue on Choking 2-Week-Old Infant Along I-17
YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. — In a dramatic roadside rescue on November 10, 2025, deputies from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office saved a 2-week-old baby who was choking, responding swiftly to a frantic 911 call from the infant’s parents. The newborn had begun struggling to breathe while the family was driving toward Interstate 17, prompting the parents to call emergency services for immediate assistance.
The parents dialed 911 around 3:30 p.m., reporting their newborn’s severe breathing difficulties as they navigated the highway. Deputies quickly mobilized and located the family’s vehicle. Body camera footage released by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office captures the urgency of the moment as deputies sprint toward the car, where the father is seen rushing out holding the baby.
According to the father, he had been administering infant CPR, back blows, and sternum rubs for approximately 15 minutes before deputies arrived. Although the baby briefly cried, the father noted the infant’s breathing remained labored and irregular. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, a deputy immediately took over lifesaving care.
The deputy began small chest compressions and continued with back blows to clear the infant’s airway. Another deputy advised repositioning the baby to improve airflow, actions consistent with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on pediatric emergency response. Their rapid intervention successfully cleared the airway, stabilizing the newborn until paramedics arrived.
This incident highlights the vital role of trained law enforcement officers in providing emergency medical assistance in critical moments before professional medical teams can intervene. The deputies’ actions align with best practices recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for first responders handling pediatric emergencies in the field.
Following the rescue, the infant was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and care. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office praised the parents for their quick thinking and the deputies for their decisive and skilled response.
Incidents involving choking infants are medical emergencies that require immediate action to prevent fatal outcomes. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute emphasizes the importance of early intervention through CPR and airway clearance techniques, which can be lifesaving when applied promptly.
As this case demonstrates, collaboration between citizens and first responders can mean the difference between life and death. The deputies’ swift response and adherence to emergency protocols ensured the baby’s survival in a situation that could have otherwise ended in tragedy.
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