TSA Officer’s Heroic Leap Saves Infant’s Life at Newark Airport
Transportation Security Administration officer Cecilia Morales had only been on the job a few weeks when her training as a former EMT was suddenly put to the ultimate test.
While stationed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in 2021, Morales witnessed a moment that would stop any parent’s heart — a young mother holding her 2-month-old baby, who had suddenly stopped breathing while in line at the security checkpoint.
“She was so nervous and I knew if I didn’t get over there, it wasn’t going to be a good outcome,” Morales said.
At first, Morales tried to instruct the mother from across the checkpoint. But as panic mounted and time ticked by, Morales knew she had to act fast. Surveillance video captured her leaping over the conveyor belt rollers — an act that would prove lifesaving.
“I jumped over the checkpoint conveyor belt rollers and she gave me the baby. I performed the infant Heimlich maneuver on him.”
Her EMT instincts kicked in. With practiced hands and a calm presence, Morales executed the infant Heimlich maneuver. After the second try — holding the baby face down on her arm and patting him on the back — the child finally began to breathe.
“The mother was too nervous and in shock to hold her son, so I carried the infant through the walkthrough [the] metal detector,” Morales recalled.
Onlookers and fellow travelers stood still, watching in breathless anticipation as Morales worked to save the tiny life in her arms. The moment was later shared widely online, drawing comments of awe and gratitude.
“Think if she didn’t work that way or the woman was before or after that mark,” one Twitter user wrote. “It was literally a miracle. If she was anywhere else, in the car on the way, at the gate…. anywhere else this would have been a different story.”
Morales, who had just joined the TSA in October of that year, said watching the video of the incident gave her chills.
“I saw the video afterward,” she said in the statement. “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.”
Cecilia Morales is a shining example of why first responders, in any capacity, matter. Her quick thinking, courage, and readiness to act in a high-pressure moment not only saved a life — she reminded us all that heroism doesn’t wait for a job title or a long resume. Sometimes, the right person just happens to be in the right place at the right time — and does the right thing.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/nuCowaXJZ4k?si=u1hIXL3wcaxjSvqr
- https://people.com/human-interest/tsa-agent-leaps-over-conveyor-belt-to-save-baby-who-was-choking/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
About Author
