K-9 officer rescues baby after she stops breathing

WALDORF, Md. - A K-9 officer for the Charles County Sheriff's Office is being hailed a hero after he helped save the life of a 10-day-old girl after she stopped breathing.

Officers and paramedics were dispatched to the 400 block of Trefoil Place in Waldorf on the morning of July 31.

PFC Darin Behm also responded after seeing the call in his car's computer. When he arrived, Behm found the baby's face red and in distress.

After not being able to hear and see any breathing movements from the child, the officer tried to clear her airway by a finger sweep, but it didn't work. An aspirator was also not available in the home.

Police say Behm then placed his mouth over the baby's nose and mouth and gently sucked out a large chunk of baby formula combined with thick mucus out of the baby's throat.

The baby's breathing improved and she was taken to Children's Hospital as a precaution. The girl was discharged several hours later.

Police say the baby's mother is grateful for the officer's actions to help her daughter, who is a twin, breathe again.

"I'm glad I was able to help," said Officer Behm. "It's what we do."