A California police officer was in the right place at the right time when a frantic mother flagged down his patrol car. Her unresponsive toddler had been exposed to the opiate fentanyl.
Officer Aaron Khamosh managed to revive the child using Narcan, a drug developed to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.
The quick-thinking officer went to assist and began chest compressions and CPR on her son.
“[T]he officer could not find a pulse,” the department stated. “As the baby grew pale, the mother revealed that the child ‘got ahold of some fentanyl’ and needed Narcan, a drug used when a person is having an overdose.”
Khamosh was able to administer two doses of Narcan and the toddler started to breathe on his own.
Shortly afterward, first responders arrived on the scene, taking the toddler to John Muir Health at Concord Medical Center for further assessment.
The department warned the community that fentanyl is an “extremely dangerous and potent opioid” and commended their officer’s actions, “We are grateful the baby will survive this ordeal and for Officer Khamosh’s quick thinking.”
The toddler was transferred to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and was taken into the custody of Child and Family Services. The mother was arrested and charged with child endangerment and possession of a narcotic.
Meanwhile, hundreds of comments from appreciative citizens praised the officer on Facebook.
“God’s blessings to you, Officer Khamosh, and to all good police officers in our country,” wrote one person. “Thank you so much for your commitment to a job that many people are trying to vilify.”
“Thank you for your heroic action(s)!” wrote another. “Running toward a vehicle, even one flagging you down, put yourself in harm’s way not knowing what awaited you. I am glad you were able to save that innocent child’s life!”
