Arizona Police Officers Deliver 10-Pound Baby

November 17, 2009 by Cathy Ribble
Filed under: News

Police Detective Jon Halliday and Officer Michael Cluff have a big story to tell after delivering Ivy Kate Casteel in the passenger seat of her grandmother’s champagne-colored PT Cruiser.

Ivy Kate arrived at 7:12 a.m. Monday morning, weighing in at 10 pounds, 6 ounces.

Megan Casteel of Mesa, Arizona, woke up about 6:15 a.m. yesterday morning with severe contractions. She woke her husband and informed him he would not be going to work that day.

They left their five children at home with Megan’s mother and began driving to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. With contractions at three minutes apart and heavy morning traffic, Megan told her husband Matthew that she felt the baby coming. The couple realized they were not going to make it to the hospital.

Matthew Casteel dialed 911 for emergency help at 7:06 a.m. and told the dispatcher that his wife was in labor with their sixth child. The baby was already four days overdue.

Off-duty Detective Halliday was at the intersection where the Casteels pulled off the road. The delivery happened quickly, within two minutes after they pulled into the parking lot. Baby Ivy Kate made her appearance at 7:12 a.m.

The baby was not breathing initially after the birth, and Officer Cluff cleared the mucus obstructing the infant’s airway. The baby was breathing normally by the time Fire EMS personnel arrived and took over the medical treatment.

The experienced father had his camera on-hand and took lots of pictures. Both Megan and Ivy Kate are reported to be doing well.

The couple now has three sons and three daughters. The other five children range in age from 1 to 11.

“The officers said they were proud to be able to help deliver the baby,” said Sgt. Mark Marino, spokesman for the Gilbert Police.