Newark Airport police rescue 2-year-old child found riding luggage conveyor belt inside terminal.

In a recent incident at Newark Liberty International Airport, two Port Authority police officers undertook a daring rescue mission to save a 2-year-old child who inadvertently ended up on a luggage conveyor belt. This event, which took place on Wednesday evening around 6:30 p.m., highlights not only the swift actions of the officers but also the potential hazards present in busy airport environments.

According to Port Authority officials, the child was accompanying their mother as she attempted to rebook a flight at the JetBlue ticket counter located in Terminal A. In a brief moment of distraction, the child wandered behind the kiosk and onto an adjoining conveyor belt designed for luggage drop-off. The conveyor belt swiftly transported the child behind a wall and into a complex network of conveyor systems responsible for moving baggage throughout the terminal.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, JetBlue staff alerted Port Authority Police Officers Angel Paulino and Joe DeSilvio to the unfolding crisis. Faced with the choice of locating an access point to reach the child, the officers made a split-second decision to jump onto the conveyor belt and pursue the toddler. Their quick thinking allowed them to navigate the intricate layout of the airport’s conveyor system effectively.

After approximately four minutes of searching, the officers successfully located the child in the checked baggage area on the lower level of the terminal. Alarmingly, the child was on the verge of being processed through a luggage X-ray machine when the officers intervened. The rapid response of the police ensured that the child was unharmed throughout the ordeal.

Emergency Medical Services were called to the scene as a precaution, although both the child and their mother emerged from the situation without injury. The Port Authority has not disclosed additional details regarding the incident, and an inquiry sent to JetBlue for a statement has yet to receive a response.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance in crowded public spaces such as airports, where the safety protocols must continually adapt to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The heroic actions of the Port Authority officers exemplify the important role of law enforcement in ensuring safety in high-traffic areas.