BRADENTON, Fla. - A Manatee County couple got a surprise when their daughter was born inside a family member's car.
Deyanira Frankland Araiza said her daughter was born about a week early. Her due date was December 28.
"I can't believe that happened. It was so fast like we didn't even have time to take out a camera or film anything," said Araiza.
She delivered her daughter, Zoey, in her mother's car on the shoulder of U.S. 301 and University Parkway in Sarasota. Her mom was visiting from Miami at the time.
Her fiancé, Charles Dawson, was at work and tried to keep her calm over the phone.
"I stayed on the phone with her. I told her to breathe, stay calm. I didn't want the baby to come in the car. I knew it was a possibility," said Charles Dawson.
Araiza said her entire labor lasted about 15 minutes. Paramedics arrived and they took the two of them to a local hospital.
"I could tell she was breathing because obviously she was crying, but I was just in shock and at the same time in awe because she was so pretty," said Araiza.
Araiza's 4-year-old son witnessed the birth. He was in the backseat of the car.
"My mom had to just grab her the way she was. It's not like she washed her hands. It was raining and dark outside and we are on the side of a ditch," she added.
Her daughter weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces. And the best news: she is healthy.
"She's an amazing baby. I have to wake up and feed her if not she'll just keep on sleeping," said Araiza.
"We got to hold her right when we got to the hospital. Her eyes were open and mommy was okay," said Dawson.
