LAKE WALES, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook that Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell helped bring a newborn into the world on December 12th.
Around 4:30 p.m. that day, the sheriff's office says that a woman named Linda went into labor. However, Linda and her husband Luis have been through the labor process before, as they already had an almost two-year-old son. They thought they knew the drill: don't go until the hospital until the contractions are five minutes apart.
Turns out, they did not have so much time after all.
Eventually, the post says the couple were on their way to the hospital with grandparent Josefina, who was slow on getting to the couple's home because they got stuck behind several school buses.
While on the way, the sheriff's office says that Linda realized she was not going to make it. She looked out the car window and saw Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell sitting in his patrol car right next to them at a red light. She frantically waved out him, pointing to her belly, and exclaiming "Labor! Labor!"
Deputy Pennell, while at first a tad confused, realized that he was about to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience as a deputy. He reportedly had Luis pull over into the turn lane. The deputy then positioned his patrol car to protect their car, jumped out, and put latex gloves on. He also summoned an EMS to respond to their location.
Josefina, according to the post, jumped out of the car and got ready to assist her daughter by coating her hands with hand sanitizer and praying out loud, "For the glory of Jesus Christ."
Little Isabella Fina Herrera, nicknamed the family's "Christmas Miracle, was then born, cradled by the hands of her grandmother and father while Deputy Pennell protected the family.
However, the post says that Josefina then realized the cord wrapped around the baby's neck and that the baby wasn't breathing. Deputy Pennell was ready to administer life-saving measures when Josefina unwrapped the cord, gave the baby a few firm pats, and saved Isabella.
Reportedly, the first paramedics to arrive were the Lake Wales Fire Rescue personnel. When the ambulance arrived, they took Linda and Isabella to the hospital.
After a full check up, the Polk County Sheriff's Office says that the hospital said that baby Isabella, who was not due until December 30th, was in perfect health.
Deputy Pennell was also involved in a hit and run crash last year while helping another woman at the time.
In October 2016, Deputy Pennell was seriously injured. A driver hit him while he was assisting another woman whose vehicle broke down on the side of the road. The woman was killed in the crash, while the driver later admitted to authorities he fled the scene.
Despite having multiple surgeries, Pennell was eager to return to work. Following the crash, he said, “I feel like it’s what I was born to do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Read the full story below of Isabella's birth below: