South Brunswick cop, paramedics deliver baby in mom's apartment

SOUTH BRUNSWICK (WABC) -- There was a celebration in New Jersey Thursday following the special delivery for a baby who just couldn't wait to get to the hospital.

A police officer and paramedic helped deliver the baby in the woman's South Brunswick apartment, and Eyewitness News was there for the emotional reunion.

Authorities say South Brunswick police and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital delivered the healthy baby girl early Thursday morning.

Police were called at 4:15 a.m. by Katrina Brookins' sister, Regina Wallace, to report that the 24-year-old was in labor and had apparently been all night.

"She was in so much pain," Wallace said. "She was screaming."

Brookins was supposed to deliver the baby on Monday and was overdue.

Officer Tim Hoover arrived minutes later to the Aspen Court home and discovered Brookins was actively in labor as she lay on the floor. He assisted her as paramedics arrived.

"I'm glad that they showed up, because I'm like, somebody better come and help me," Hoover said.

Paramedics Amy Fitzpatrick and Gregg Lund arrived seconds later, and Fitzpatrick intervened and was able to successfully deliver the baby.

"The baby came very quickly," she said. "It didn't matter how long she was in labor, it was time."

The three emergency workers worked in tandem to wrap the baby and care for the mother.

"It was quite routine for us," paramedic Gregg Lund said. "It was very quick though. We'd been there for four minutes."

The mother and child were transported by paramedics and Kendall Park First Aid Squad to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

This is Brookins second child. Mom and baby Arianna are in good condition.

Hats off to Arianna's 11-year-old cousin Isaiah Quinn, too, for helping out with big-sister-to-be Jashiah.

"She was woken up by everybody in the house," he said. "She was crying, so I put her favorite show on."

Grandma, who was the original ride to the hospital, got there last.

"I walked in and said, "What can I do?" Vanessa Wallace said. "He said, 'Boil water.' What? He said, 'No the baby's here.'"

And dad was all smiles and grateful for the help.

"Thank You," Divine Johnson said. "Thanks for taking my place, holding her hand."