Dramatic bodycam footage shows moment hero police officer saves 12-day-old baby’s life after pulling over speeding car to find distressed mother holding the limp newborn who had stopped breathing

  • Deputy William Kimbro pulled over a car for speeding in Summerville, South Carolina, on June 11
  • Passengers told Kimbro that they were rushing a 12-day-old baby to the hospital who stopped breathing after drinking a bottle
  • The deputy started performing first aid on the infant until EMS arrived about five minutes later
  • Video shows Ryleigh’s chest moving up and down and she lets out a few cries 
  • Kimbro was awarded the ‘Life-Saving Medal’ from Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis

Dramatic bodycam footage has captured a South Carolina deputy saving the life of a newborn baby during a traffic stop.

Deputy William Kimbro, of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, says he was on patrol on June 11 in Summerville when he stopped a car that was speeding.

One of the passengers told Kimbro that they were rushing a 12-day-old infant named Ryleigh to the hospital because she had stopped breathing after drinking a bottle.

That’s when the deputy jumped into action and started performing first aid to get the baby breathing again

Deputy Will Kimbro pulled over a car for speeding in Summerville, South Carolina, on June 11. Passengers told Kimbro that they were rushing a 12-day-old baby named Ryleigh (left and right) to the hospital who stopped breathing after drinking a bottle

The deputy started performing first aid on the infant until EMS arrived about five minutes later. Pictured: Deputy William Kimbro

The video shows the baby’s mother handing her to Kimbro, who quickly performs rescue breaths.

He then checks for a pulse and begins massaging her chest around her heart.

‘Come on baby, cry for me, cry for me,’ Kimbro is heard saying. ‘Come on, open those eyes, sweetheart.’

After Kimbo starts massaging her lips and Riley lets out a few faint cries, he says: ‘As long as she’s crying like that, she’s breathing.’

He then tells the mother he’s going to keep performing CPR until EMS arrives – which they did about five minutes later.

‘I didn’t feel a heartbeat earlier so I started massaging her heart and now I feel it’s real strong now,’ Kimbro told the mother as first responders took over.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Carli Drayton told DailyMail.com that Ryleigh was taken to the hospital and has since been released.

‘Officers went by and checked on her a few days later and she was doing well,’ Drayton said.

Over the course of the video, Ryleigh's chest is seen moving up and down again and she lets out a few cries. Pictured: Deputy Kimbro performing first aid

Ryleigh was taken to the hospital for observation but was released and appears to be doing well. Pictured: Deputy Kimbro performing first aid

Kimbro was awarded the 'Life-Saving Medal' from Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. Pictured: Deputy Kimbro performing first aid

Drayton did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

A Facebook post shared yesterday revealed that Kimbro was awarded the ‘Life-Saving Medal’ from Sheriff Duane Lewis.

‘Because of Deputy Kimbro’s steadfast, professional and heroic response, the 12-day old baby was able to live,’ the post, which has more than 1,100 shares, reads.

‘Please join us in congratulating Deputy Kimbro for his gallant actions that prolonged human life.’

HOW TO PERFORM CPR ON A BABY

1. Tap the baby’s foot to illicit a response and make sure he or she needs help

2. Call 911. If you are alone with the baby, administer CPR for two minutes and then call 911

3. Lay the baby on his or her back, tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway

4. Check for breathing for no more than 10 seconds. Make sure the baby is not gasping for air

5. Pinch the nose shut and blow into the baby’s mouth for one second so his or her chests rises. Then deliver two rescue breaths

6. If the baby doesn’t respond to the rescue breaths, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

7. Deliver 30 quick compression that are about 1.5 inches deep – and use two fingers

8. Continue to do this until you see signs of life, including breathing

Source: American Red Cross

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