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Written by: E. George
Published July 11, 2024 @ 6:30 PM ET
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Thanks to a well-prepared, quick-acting police officer, a newborn infant is alive today after experiencing a terrifying close call with death. South Fulton Lieutenant Craig Harper explained that as he prepared to leave work at the Cascade Road police department for the day on Thursday, June 13, 2024, he noticed a woman pull into the parking lot.
She frantically pleaded for help, crying, “My baby’s not breathing!” Harper stated, “She just laid the baby in my arms, basically.”
The one-month-old infant was limp and unresponsive. Having worked in law enforcement for 26 years, Harper said he cradled the unconscious newborn in his arms, remained calm, and recalled his extensive training.
He “rolled the baby onto their stomach and started patting on the back.” While he continued life-saving measures, Corporal William Thompson and other officers ran to the fire station next door for help.
Thompson stated, “My main concern was to get help as quickly as possible,” but Harper said it felt like forever.
Harper stated, “That was somebody’s child, so you do everything you can to make sure the child is okay because you would want somebody to do the same for you. [I was] praying, please let this baby be okay.”
Grady EMS arrived and took over, and the infant began stirring.
Harper said, “The baby started to throw up. I heard that baby crying. I said, ‘Woo! Safe!'” Regarding being called a hero, he stated, “No, I wouldn’t say so. It comes with the job.”
He said he was grateful to have been there to provide help when needed.