Boy, 12, who delivered baby with help from dispatcher 'was very scared'

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — A Flanders boy, 12, will have a story to write in his “What I Did Over Summer Vacation” essay this fall: The boy helped deliver his aunt's baby recently, with guidance of a dedicated public safety police dispatcher and an officer who assisted him.

The boy, Miguel Dominiguez, Southampton Police Public Safety Dispatcher Christopher Brenner and Southampton Town Police Officer James K. Kavanagh were honored Wednesday with a proclamation from Southampton Police Chief James Kiernan.

According to Southampton Police, the incident occurred on Friday at approximately 10:16 a.m. Authorities received a 911 call from the boy, who said his aunt, 22, was in labor.

Dispatcher Brenner immediately began giving the boy clear instructions on how to help his aunt with the delivery, authorities said.

While on the phone with PSD Brenner giving birth/medical instructions and the “cool actions of a 12-year-old,” the mother successfully gave birth to a healthy baby boy, police said.

As the baby was being born, PO Cavanagh arrived and helped care for the mother and child, police said.

A short time later, Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance arrived, took care of the mother and child and transported them to Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said.

“Thanks to the professionalism and diligence of all involved, both mother and child are resting and doing well at the hospital,” police said.

Reflecting on the amazing story, Chief Kiernan said: “Extraordinary actions like this, from a 12-year-old child in the middle of a chaotic situation, are remarkable. The officer and dispatcher taking professional action does not surprise me. I'm amazed every day that I have a front row seat to the best police officers and dispatchers in the business.”

He added: “Sometimes I walk into the communication room and it's like a deal happening. In the midst of a crisis, these people bring calm to the other end of the phone with caring words of comfort and reassurance that everything will be OK, they guide people though the worst moments with their words, as the rest of the room is busy finding resources where they need to go and covering every base to reach a positive outcome.”

Miguel, who is in eighth grade at Riverhead Middle School, said he was “very, very scared” when he saw his aunt was ready to deliver. “I had to call 911,” she said.

Asked how he felt at the time, Miguel said: “I don't know how to explain it.” But, he said, he was grateful for the dispatcher's help and was “very relieved” when the baby was born safely.

Alexandra's mother, he said, “is very happy. She is very proud of me.”

Miguel said he was very honored to be received by the police on Wednesday. She has been to see the baby, who she said is “very cute”.

Now, Miguel is a hero in the family after his quick and level actions. His aunt, he said, “is very grateful.”

But so far, Miguel said becoming a doctor is only something he could possibly consider. When asked what he would like to do when he grows up, he said, “I'd like to be an animator.”

Dispatcher Brenner reflected on the experience: “It's unbelievable,” he told Patch. “What a wonderful day for me.”

He added, “I'm amazed how the 12-year-old boy did such a great job. He did an amazing job on the phone. He was calm. He helped me get all the supplies I asked for. His mom helped, but the boy did most of the work without his help. , who knows what would have happened.”

It was an experience Brenner said will stay with him forever.

“It was one of the most exciting phone calls I've had in the 31 years I've been there,” he said. “While I was taking the call, the other dispatchers I was working with relayed all the information to the responding units. They also deserve a lot of credit. It was a team effort.”

Brenner added: “I'm proud to be a part of such a great event. It's been the most rewarding moment ever.”