By Jackie Roman
nj.com
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Toms River Police Officer Peter Saker has 20 years on the job but still encounters new experiences every day, like his first on-the-job baby delivery four weeks ago in a local family’s bathroom.
It was nearly 2 a.m. when Saker got a call on Sept. 27 regarding a woman in labor who needed a ride to the hospital. But, D’Kota and Nick Fabian’s baby wasn’t going to wait.
“Baby Mia made quite the early entrance just after midnight on September 27th. Officer Pete Saker was the first to arrive at the home of a young mother in labor. Within minutes of arrival, he delivered this beautiful baby girl!” a police department Facebook post read. (Toms River Police Department)
“She looked at me and told me that her water broke. I was like, ‘OK, the ambulance is going to be here any moment,’” said Saker. “And she said, ‘That’s not going to be soon enough.’”
Although her due date was Sept. 30, D’Kota said she was completely shocked when she began going into labor.
“You don’t ever expect to give birth on your bathroom floor,” said D’Kota. “I didn’t have time to think about anything. My water broke and essentially she just came out.”
The Fabians’ baby girl was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, but Saker reacted quickly and slipped it over the baby’s head. Asked how he knew to respond, Saker said he deferred to his training.
“In the academy you’re trained a little bit, but of course it’s on videos and slides,” said Saker.
Saker cradled the baby and directed D’Kota’s husband Nick to grab blankets and towels while waiting for the ambulance.
“We were all in shock. I don’t have any words for it,” said Nick.
Nick said it felt like hours before emergency medical personnel arrived, but it was roughly 10 minutes, police said.
One month later, baby Mia is in good health, according to her parents.
“I have to say it was an incredible experience,” said Saker. “I met two great people as well, and hopefully I can watch Mia grow.”
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