Credit – CTinsider By Liz Hardaway, Staff Writer
TRUMBULL — A local police officer helped save an infant who was choking on Wednesday afternoon, the department said.
Dispatchers received a call from the child’s parents at around 3 p.m. reporting the 10-month-old was choking on a piece of food, according to Trumbull police Lt. Brian Falkenstein. Officer James Sota responded and “saw the infant’s lips and mouth turning blue,” the department said in a Facebook post.
Sota immediately used a LifeVac, a device that helps rescue a choking victim, and, working with the parents, helped partially dislodge the food blocking the child’s airway, according to police.
“Because of his fast action, the child began breathing again and was later treated by EMS and taken to the hospital for evaluation,” police said.
Falkenstein said that officers spoke with the child’s parents on Thursday morning and the child is fine.
“Thank you, Officer Sota, for your bravery and professionalism in a critical moment,” the department said.
Sota told Falkenstein that it was a team effort as he worked with the parents, who remained somewhat calm and had some experience in emergency care.
Falkenstein noted that the department acquired the LiveVac devices more than a year ago, and they are now incorporated in the medical kit of every Trumbull police cruiser.