Three Chicago police officers saved the life of a 2-year-old girl, who lost consciousness after choking on a piece of candy, Saturday night.
The officers first noticed a problem at about 8:08 p.m. when they witnessed a car that was driving eastbound on 67th Street in Englewood suddenly start speeding and driving erratically. The car then stopped at a curb, and officers approached to find a mother and her child inside.
The woman driving the car was yelling, "My baby, my baby!" and frantically crying for help, police said. The officers immediately took charge of the situation, removing the baby from the back seat and performing the Heimlich Maneuver. As they worked to save the baby, the mother explained that the child had choked on a piece of candy.
"The baby then gave us some gurgling noise. Once I pressed the tongue to try to clear the airway, we started getting some signs or cries from her," said Sgt. Tracy Quarles, one of the officers on the scene.
The officers then continued their rescue efforts in the back seat of a car as they drove her to St. Bernard Hospital, where she was stabilized. The baby was later transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center. She was expected to be released Sunday.
"I'm very happy the baby is feeling better, and she's responsive," said Officer Kelly Zupancic. "I'm happy we were there on scene."
Sgt. Quarles is a 21-year veteran of the police department, and the other two officers have served on the force for one year, police said.
