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An emergency dispatcher from Bellport is being credited with a crucial assist after successfully coaching a pregnant couple by phone on delivering their baby in a backseat.
With the woman experience labor, the couple was on County Road 111 in Manorville shortly before 9:30 a.m. yesterday, Wednesday, before realizing the hospital was out reach.
So they pulled into a Starbucks and called 911.
Suffolk County Emergency Services Dispatcher Marlo Van Houten of Bellport, a 10-year employee of the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, received the call at 9:39 p.m., authorities said.
Houten then instructed the father on how to assist his wife in the delivery, including how to make sure the baby was breathing, how to tie the umbilical cord, and to keep the baby warm.
“Once again, our emergency services personnel were able to quickly come to the aid of a family in need,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a statement issued Thursday. “I commend Dispatcher Van Houten for her calm and professional approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of this family.”
Manorville Community Ambulance and SCPD personnel arrived soon after to help.
Mother and baby — Sailor Jewel — were then transported to St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson.
Photo: Mom and baby soon after Wednesday morning’s delivery in Manorville. (courtesy)
