In a remarkable turn of events at a New Jersey police station, two officers found themselves stepping into an unexpected role as midwives. When a civilian rushed in, frantically communicating through shouts and gestures, officers Benjamin Haines and Gabriel Chiarelli quickly followed him to the backseat of a car, where they discovered a woman in labor who also did not speak English.
“We weren’t really expecting that—especially the baby coming out when we opened the car door,” Chiarelli later shared, recalling the surprising moment. Acting swiftly, the officers utilized Google Translate on their phones to provide guidance. When that didn’t yield results, they resorted to hand signals to communicate.
“We really couldn’t say much, but I just told her to breathe and push,” Haines recounted. Following their encouraging words, the baby’s head emerged, and with just a few more pushes, a healthy baby girl was welcomed into the world. By the time the medics arrived, the officers had successfully wrapped both mother and newborn in blankets, ready to head to the hospital.
Despite having no formal training in childbirth, both officers expressed that this experience was exactly what they had signed up for—helping those in need. Their station chief echoed this sentiment, praising their excellent response to the unexpected situation.
This heartwarming story showcases not only the quick thinking of the officers but also highlights the power of compassion and teamwork in overcoming language barriers during a critical moment. What an inspiring reminder of the good that can happen in our communities!
