A Florida cop is being praised for helping a mom welcome her sixth child after he helped her deliver the baby in the front seat of her car on the side of a highway.
A frantic driver approached Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Master Deputy Daniel “Red” Jones on Sunday on Highway 60 in Plant City, police said.
The man told Jones that his very pregnant wife was about to give birth, so he jumped into action by calling the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and rushing to her side.
Body cam video shows the unfolding drama as Jones offers support and encouragement – while urging the woman to remain still in an attempt to delay the inevitable.
“She’s ready go, huh, she’s ready to go!” he says. “Breathe through, mama, breathe through. Has your water broke?”
“Yes,” she replies.
“You have to let me know if the baby’s coming, OK? Is this your first baby,” he asks the mother, holding her hand as she screams in pain.
“This is the sixth!” she blurts.
“Six! Woo! Y’all need a better hobby!” the stunned deputy exclaims, prompting laughter among the group.
“Keep breathing, OK? I’m not gonna move you,” he says. “I know it hurts but you’ve been through this before.”
As she cries out in pain, Jones says he doesn’t want to move her because “if I change the position on her, the baby’s gonna come.”
But nature wasn’t waiting for anyone.
“Don’t push! Don’t push!” he pleads.
“She’s pushing,” the mom says. “She’s coming!”
Moments later, an overjoyed Jones is holding the baby.
“I told you I didn’t want to deliver a baby!” he shouts in glee as the newborn cries. “Ooooh, pretty little girl! That’s a beautiful sound, Mama!”
First responders later transported the mother and child to a local hospital.
Sheriff Chad Chronister praised Jones for his actions.
“I am extremely proud of Master Deputy Jones’s quick actions and dedication to serving our community in any capacity,” Chronister said in a statement.
“This is his third time assisting a citizen with delivering a baby! While delivering in the front seat of a car was not the original birth plan, Master Deputy Jones reassured the mother of six that she was in good hands,” he said.
“I wish mom, dad, and their new baby girl all the joy and happiness. Congratulations!” the top cop added.
Jones, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2001, suggested that the happy couple name their baby “Red.”
But the dad, Luis Lopez, told 10 Tampa Bay that they named her Lexela.
“I want to thank the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department for having amazing officers that helped us to deliver our baby girl at Highway 60,” he told the station.
“Also, thanks to the fire department and EMS team for the awesome job they did there,” he added.