SOUTH RIVER, N.J. — Police officers in New Jersey jumped into action to save a choking child in New Jersey on Monday evening.
The officers who arrived at the scene were Det. Patrick Molina, Det. Mark Kukoda, Ptl. Nicholas Swineford, and Ptl. Jonathan Torres. They went to a residence in South River where they found a 1-year-old child with a blocked airway.
Kukoda was the first to arrive at this life or death call.
Footage from a police body camera shows a young boy named Joseph, appearing limp and lifeless rather than lively and active. It’s unclear how long he had stopped breathing.
Whatever is lodged in his tiny throat is unyielding.
“I notice his face to be blue, indicating there is something in his airway and he’s losing oxygen,” Kukoda said.
Additional assistance comes as Joseph’s distressed father stands aside, giving the officers space to work. Officer Torres takes charge, performing back blows on the child and calling out his name.
Swineford is the third to arrive, stepping in without missing a beat.
“In the moment, you don’t really think about it. You just fall back on training and do what you have to do,” Swineford said. “I took the infant from Torres, flipped the child over started to do back blows until another officer is available.”
That officer was Molina.
“When I got there, Officer Swineford had the infant,” Molina said. “At which point I requested to take over. Like I said, it is tiring.”
All of them were hoping that the work they were doing was helping Joseph get to a point where there was enough room around the obstruction for him to take a breath.
“We did hear something kind of clearing up so that’s a good sign,” Molina said.
An ambulance arrived after the job was done, but the officers were still concerned for Joseph.
“Fortunately, we saw the same BLS ambulance unit on a call two hours later. They gave us somewhat of an update. The last thing we heard the child was going to be OK.”
Joseph was more than fine, he was excellent!
“I’m so proud of them, and I’m so thankful for everything they did for my son, because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be hugging my son today,” said Joseph’s father, Cliff Hernandez.
The officers were just happy the boy was alive.
Chief Mark Tinitigan praised the actions of the responding officers, calling each one vital to the successful outcome.
“There was no hesitation. Each officer knew their role, acted immediately, and worked together to save a child’s life,” Tinitigan said. “These officers are true heroes. Their quick thinking and training made all the difference in a moment where every second counted. We are incredibly thankful the child is safe and on the road to recovery.”
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