Officer James Fraser of the Miami Police Department recently recalled the intense experience of saving an unresponsive infant’s life after the child had been abused.
The unforgettable incident, which occurred on the night of March 29, was captured by officer body-camera footage.
In the video, police initially responded to an emergency call involving an unresponsive 3-month-old baby girl at a Miami apartment.
Fraser vividly recalled the scene upon arrival.
“I won’t forget [the] mom holding the baby as normal with one hand.”
The body-camera footage showed Fraser swiftly exiting his patrol car and joining other officers at the apartment. He immediately inquired about the baby’s breathing status and received a distressing “no” as a response.
Without hesitation, he sprang into action, taking the baby from her mother’s arms and performing life-saving CPR.
“As a man of faith, I tried to speak life into her,” Fraser shared.
He proceeded to explain the technique he employed that fateful night, emphasizing the importance of clearing the airway and conducting chest compressions.
Fraser skillfully executed the life-saving measures, swiftly turning the baby over and gently patting her back to stimulate breathing.
With the infant cradled in his arms, Fraser hurried down the stairwell to an awaiting emergency vehicle, where it was reported that the baby had blood in her mouth.
Medical personnel noted multiple injuries, including fractured ribs, a brain bleed and bruises on her forehead and rib area.
Consequently, the baby’s 19-year-old father, Christian Nicholas Hill, was taken into custody on several felony charges related to child abuse and neglect.
Fraser expressed his deep concern for the baby girl.
“This is somebody that hasn’t even begun to speak, and you want to be there with your whole heart and soul. You want this person to continue.”
After nearly two weeks of anxious waiting, Fraser’s prayers were answered when the baby girl’s eyes finally opened, marking a turning point in her recovery.
Officials credit the quick actions of Officer Fraser, a 24-year veteran of the Miami Police Department, for her full recovery.
Reflecting on the incident, Fraser revealed that he had revisited the body-camera footage.
“I have watched it, just for me. I had to know I did everything possible.”
He then commended the collective efforts of the team involved, underscoring their shared commitment to making a difference in the world, even at the risk of their own lives.
“A team effort all around. This is why we go out daily, putting our lives on the line for that small chance to make a difference in the world.”
The mother, who is underage, is also facing charges in connection with the incident.
As for the baby girl, she is now thriving under the care of her grandmother, a testament to the resilience and dedicated service of Officer Fraser and his colleagues.