NewsHillsborough County

Actions

Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road

Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road
Posted at 6:30 PM, May 03, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-04 05:10:17-04

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy is sharing how he calmed and walked a mom through a successful delivery of her baby on the shoulder of the road over the weekend.

Master Deputy Daniel "Red" Jones is up to anything on the job.

"Birthing is birthing. You're just kind of there to catch," said Jones.

Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road
Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road

So when a panicked soon-to-be parent flagged him for help, he knew exactly what to do. On Sunday, the Sheriff's Office said a driver went up to Deputy Jones and said his pregnant wife was about to give birth.

Jones called for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue to respond, and without hesitating, he jumped into action to help deliver the baby on the side of Highway 60 in Plant City.

HCSO deputy helps deliver baby

Hillsborough County

WATCH: Deputy helps deliver baby on side of Plant City highway

Rebekah Nelson
12:54 PM, May 02, 2023

"I walked over there with him, put my gloves on, and just went to having a baby," said Jones.

Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road
Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road

Interestingly, Jones has been in this position before: he said he's helped deliver two other babies in the past. If that wasn't enough, he also has more experience on his resume.

"I grew up in the cow business, so birthing ain't nothing, big deal. This is easy," said Jones.

The body camera video showed how the deputy calmly encouraged and supported the mom. Within minutes, a baby girl was born.

Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road
Hillsborough County deputy helps deliver baby on side of the road

"There's very few times in life that you get to see something pure, and that is one of those times," said Jones. "There's so much evil and bad doings in the world anymore that those little moments like that make it worth it."

A few days later, Luis Lopez, the baby's father, said mom was tired but doing excellent and that his newborn daughter, Lexela, was happy and healthy. Above all, Lopez is thankful.

"I do want to meet him again just to show him the baby so he can hold her, and we can take a couple of pictures," said Lopez.