NEED TO KNOW
- A Texas police officer saved the life of a choking toddler just 23 second after her parents called 911 for help
- Sergeant Michael Lazarine of the Lindale Police Department said he had only recently learned how to perform life-saving measures on a choking child
- Body camera footage of the incident shows the moment Lazarine helped dislodge a small toy from the 2-year-old’s throat
A Texas police officer is being praised for helping save the life of a choking toddler just seconds after her parents called 911 for help.
Adelaide “Addy” Walker, 2, was playing with a small plastic toy when she swallowed it, according to ABC affiliate KLTV.
At first, Dasiy Walker said she noticed her daughter was panting, but did not initially realize she was choking.
“I never thought it was the toy she takes to bed with her or the one she wakes up asking about,” she explained.
Daisy performed the Heimlich maneuver, but to no avail. She and her husband then called 911 while running to an urgent care at the end of the block in Lindale.
But the urgent care was closed. That’s when Sergeant Michael Lazarine of the Lindale Police Department showed up — just 23 seconds after the 911 call was placed.
“I realized pretty quickly I had a different situation on my hands because she’s smaller,” Lazarine recalled, “and I can’t just do the standard Heimlich that they teach you in training.”
Body camera footage of the incident, shared by KLTV, showed Lazarine pull into a Taco Bell as Brian Walker, Addy’s father, begged a dispatcher for help. “Please, my daughter is dying!” he said.
Luckily, the police department had recently brought in a CPR specialist who taught officers how to save choking children.
Lazarine could then be seen in the body camera footage exiting his vehicle as Brian raced up to him with Addy in his arms. Soon after the officer began pushing on Addy’s stomach, the toy dislodged.
“You doing okay, Addy?” Lazarine asked the child as her mom cradled her in her arms.
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Addy’s parents are now thanking Lazarine for helping save their daughter’s life. “If it wouldn’t have been for him … she wouldn’t be here today,” Dasiy said.
Meanwhile, Lazarine was simply happy to help. “I was glad that there was at least somebody close [to help],” he told KLTV.
