A TSA officer raced to the aid of a 2-month-old boy who stopped breathing at Newark Liberty International Airport security checkpoint earlier this month.
Cecilia Morales sprung into action when she heard the mother calling for help, vaulting over a conveyor belt and performing the infant Heimlich maneuver on the baby, the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday.
The mom noticed her son wasn’t breathing as she removed him from his car carrier seat to bring him through the security checkpoint at Terminal C on Dec. 9, the TSA said. She asked other passengers for help before shouting for assistance.
TSA officer Cecilia Morales helped save the life of a 2-month-old boy who stopped breathing earlier this month at Newark Liberty International Airport.TSA
That’s when Morales, a trained emergency medical technician with 10 years experience, who was stationed nearby, sprung into action.
“She held the infant carefully to keep his airway open,” the TSA said. “Then she placed him face down on her arm and patted him on the back. No response. She tried again, and the second time he started to breathe again.”
Morales then carried the infant through the security checkpoint where a pediatric EMT was waiting to administer oxygen to the baby.
Hired by the TSA in October, the Newark resident had previously performed the Heimlich on adults and children as an EMT, but never on an infant.
“I saw the video afterward,” Morales said. “It was the first time I’ve ever seen myself in action, saving a life. It was mind-blowing to watch. I felt that my training and experience just took over.”
A top TSA official took notice of her efforts.
“Two months on the job and she’s literally a life-saver,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “Officer Morales’ quick reaction and actions helped ensure that this family will have a happy holiday season. Her actions were inspiring.”
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
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