2 Hightstown Cops Save Choking Infant’s Life, Body Cam Shows

MERCER COUNTY, NJ - The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office recently released body-worn camera (BWC) footage of Hightstown officers Daniel Abbatemarco and Kenneth Larsen saving the life of a choking baby.

The incident is from March 31, 2024. In the footage, Officer Larsen is seen arriving at the scene to find a man holding a choking and unresponsive infant on the sidewalk.

Larsen immediately jumped into action, applying the Infant Heimlich Maneuver. The child’s family members are seen crying and in distress.

Officer Abbatemarco too arrives on the scene and within seconds the child is seen breathing again.

Both the officers are seen comforting a man and woman who were crying.

“I think she's good,” the officers say. “Let's let out a cry sweetheart.”

The County Prosecutor’s Office shared the video with the public as part of the BWC Wins program.

The BWC Wins program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance.

In addition to periodically releasing body-worn camera footage to the public, the demonstration program also includes releasing monthly videos to sworn law enforcement personnel in Mercer County as part of a training component.

“Every day, officers face critical situations that the public would never learn about if not for body worn cameras. The BWC Wins program aims to create more transparency by highlighting body worn camera footage of officers during their daily duties,” Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton said.

“By showing the community footage provided to the prosecutor’s office by police departments in the county demonstrating how these police encounters are handled, it is our goal to strengthen trust between citizens and law enforcement within Mercer County.”

Body-worn camera footage is crucial not only to prosecutorial success but to encouraging officer accountability, transparency and reflection.

“I am grateful to the prosecutor’s office for the opportunity to participate in the BWC Wins program,” Hightstown Police Chief Frank Gendron said.

“Body cameras are powerful tools that protect and assist our officers with their difficult jobs, and I’m pleased to have the outstanding work of Officers Abbatemarco and Larsen recognized.”

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