Orange County officer saves choking baby on body cam

Tense footage shows quick action to dislodge swallowed hair clip

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:47am

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Body cam video captured the moment an Orange Police Department officer responded to a frantic call and quickly acted to save a choking infant who had swallowed a hair clip. The officer's swift intervention and successful resuscitation efforts were credited with preventing a tragic outcome.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the critical role of first responders in emergency medical situations, especially when it comes to saving the lives of vulnerable individuals like young children. The body cam footage also provides a powerful visual demonstration of the life-saving skills and quick thinking required of police officers.

The details

On January 20, Cpl. Greggory Kates with the Orange Police Department rushed to a home after receiving a call from a mother whose baby had swallowed a hair clip and was choking. The tense body cam footage shows Kates arriving on the scene and immediately taking action, using back blows and chest thrusts to dislodge the obstruction and restore the baby's breathing.

  • On January 20, Cpl. Greggory Kates responded to the emergency call.

The players

Cpl. Greggory Kates

An officer with the Orange Police Department who responded to the emergency call and successfully saved the choking baby.

The baby

A young child who had swallowed a hair clip and was choking before being saved by the quick-acting police officer.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the vital role of first responders in emergency medical situations, especially when it comes to saving young lives. The body cam footage serves as a powerful reminder of the quick thinking and life-saving skills required of police officers in the line of duty.