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CBP Officers Help Deliver Baby at the Anzalduas International Bridge

Release Date
Tue, 11/10/2015

ANZALDUAS, Texas— U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Anzalduas International Bridge jumped into action this weekend as an expectant U.S. citizen mother arriving at the primary lanes had a special delivery that couldn’t wait for the hospital.

CBP Officer Julio Trujillo and CEO Daniel Rodriguez hold newborn.

CBP Officer Julio Trujillo and CEO Daniel Rodriguez hold newborn.

“This is truly an outstanding depiction of the humanitarian side of our officers as well as the ability to remain calm and cool under pressure when faced with an emergency medical situation occurring in a field setting,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Being prepared and having officers equipped with basic first responder skills enabled this young woman to deliver a healthy baby boy.”

The port had just received a call from the Mexican toll collectors’ office advising of a vehicle en route to the Unites States with a possible medical emergency, a woman possibly in labor. Within minutes, a vehicle with several occupants, including a young woman in the back seat, who was in obvious pain and claiming to be having contractions arrived at the primary booths. Officers immediately referred the vehicle to secondary, verified everyone's citizenship and identity and called an ambulance to assist with the situation.

CBP Officers Julio Trujillo, Lizeth Villarreal and CEO Daniel Rodriguez immediately took action, donned protective gloves and began assisting the frantic woman by gathering blankets and making her as comfortable as possible. Officer Trujillo approached the screaming woman, who yelled out, “I’m having the baby” and could see the baby’s head protruding, took his position to grab the baby as it was coming out. With a slight adjustment of the baby’s positioning, Officer Trujillo quickly took the baby and handed it off to CEO Rodriguez, who wrapped it in a blanket and gave the baby a quick thrust, after noticing he was not breathing.

At this time, emergency medical service (EMS) personnel arrived and took control of the situation by stabilizing the baby and mother. Within minutes, the situation was stabilized and the mother and baby were taken to a local hospital for further observation.  

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021

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