CPD cops reunited with baby they helped deliver on Easter
The infant who was delivered outside the Grand Crossing District police station on Easter was reunited with those who helped bring her into the world during a post-birth baby shower Tuesday.
“All I can say is that she might not know it yet, but she has a bunch of police officers that are honorary uncles and aunts,” said Officer Geraldine Hutchinson, one of the seven officers who helped deliver 10-week-old Avah Jones in April.
“We thought that a baby shower should probably be before the baby, but since we didn’t get that opportunity we thought we’d do it now.”
Kaliyah Stokes made several trips to the hospital before Avah was born and thought it may be another false alarm when she felt contractions. But when her water broke, she woke her father up to take her to the hospital.
As he drove, Johnny Stokes realized his grandchild wasn’t going to wait, so he pulled onto the sidewalk outside the station to ask for help.
When the officers approached the car, they realized Avah’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. The officers were able to remove the cord, and the newborn began to cry before she was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital.
“Again, thank you so much for the gifts and delivering her safe,” Kaliyah Stokes said at the celebration Tuesday at the police station, 7040 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
“Now she’s here, and when she gets older she will know about you guys.”
Johnny Stokes said he was thankful the officers knew how to handle the situation.
“They were calm, cool and collected like they had done this before, so they went right into action, which was great,” the elder Stokes said. “Without them, there’s no telling what could have happened. Ever since that day, she’s been a blessing to all of us.”
Officer Lawrence Nickerson Jr. said that although he never delivered a baby before, he was glad his experience as a parent helped.
“Me being a father, I have been in the delivery room a couple of times, so it wasn’t a shock,” Nickerson said.
Nickerson then told the guest of honor, “Baby Avah, you definitely presented me with a first experience, one that I will never forget, and hopefully we’ll keep in touch.”