El Monte police rescue choking child – NBC Los Angeles

El Monte police officers this week saved the life of an 8-year-old boy who was choking on a piece of candy, a move officials said Friday that was due to the use of a device designed to clear blockages in the airway.

According to El Monte police, Officers Raul Vega and Dennis Chiu and Cpl. Carlos Tello responded to a home where a child was choking around 8 p.m. Monday. Vega was first on the scene and found Ethan Cante unconscious with his airway blocked by a piece of candy.

Chiu reacted immediately and provided Vega with an anti-choking device known as LifeVac, which he used to successfully clear the child’s airway.

“Fortunately, thanks to my partners and our training, we were able to get the candy out,” Vega said.

“Our police department has provided 200 of these to our patrol officers and city employees, and it’s a lifesaver. For $60 to $70, it’s going to save someone’s life,” Vega added.

An 8-year-old boy survives thanks to the quick action of El Monte police who rushed to his aid as he was choking to death. Macy Jenkins reports for NBC4 News on June 7, 2024.

The El Monte Police Department purchased 200 LifeVacs in April and Ethan was the first person to have one used.

“I am proud of our officers who were able to deploy the device and save a child’s life within seconds,” El Monte Police Chief Jake Fisher said in a statement.

He said equipping officers with the LifeVac devices is a valuable step to save lives in critical moments when every second can count.

Ethan and his mother, Vanessa Becerra-Aguayo, are expected to meet with the El Monte City Council and police department officials Tuesday evening to present Vega, Chiu and Tello with a Life Saving Award.

Dispatchers Veronica Chacon and Sandra Gonzalez will also be honored with a department award for their professional and critical response to Monday’s 911 call while officers arrived on scene.