Security Officer Helps Deliver Baby Outside Tampa Hospital
The Tampa General Hospital security officer was screening visitors for coronavirus symptoms when a man pulled up yelling for help.
TAMPA, Fla. — A security officer helped deliver a baby outside the entrance of Tampa General Hospital last month.
Philip Kalil was screening people for coronavirus symptoms on April 25 when Andre Garnett frantically pulled up and starting yelling for help.
“He said, ‘Hey, help my wife, she’s having a baby!'” Kalil told Fox News. “I said, ‘OK. Let me get you a wheelchair.’ He said, ‘No, she’s having the baby now.'”
Kalil radioed for backup and rushed to help 27-year-old Vienna Garnett, who said she “already had [the baby’s] head in my hands.”
As nurses rushed out with towels, Kalil used the first-aid training he had received at a police department years ago to help Garnett.
“I said [to Vienna] ‘Look, it’s you and me,'” Kalil recalled. “I said ‘push.’ She pushed and the baby came out.”
Kalil and Garnett then realized something was not right when the baby was silent.
“I was like, ‘Well that’s not right,'” Kalil said. “Mom said the cord was around her neck. I was like, ‘Yup, I got it. Don’t worry about it!'”
Garnett unwrapped it from under the baby’s arm and Kalil unwrapped it from her neck. The baby let out a strong cry. Hospital staff then put Garnett on a stretcher, placed the baby on her chest and wheeled them into the hospital.
Kalil described the whirlwind experience as “humbling” and said anyone in his position would have done the same thing.
“They were just another family coming to Tampa General for help and anybody in my shoes would have done the same thing,” Kalil said. “It was just my turn, just my turn.”
Baby Zariah was 8 pounds and 8 ounces and is healthy and well.
“Just take life as it comes and make the most of it,” Garnett said. “You can’t plan for everything.”
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Outstanding work Officer Kalil! TGH should be proud to have you representing them on the front lines every day.