Middletown mom & dad welcome new arrival, thanks to township police

Welcome, Axl Erickson! A baby in Middletown draws its first breath in a motel parking lot - and two members of the township's Police Department enabled it to happen as smoothly as possible.

Patrolman Nicholas Manochio and Corporal Ryan Riffert leaped into action Saturday afternoon in the lot of the township's Comfort Inn on Route 35, as Krisen Erickson's labor accelerated and her baby began to emerge.

It began with a 911 call that hit headquarters at abou1 12:15 PM from the township couple. According to police, Kristen's husband was driving her to hospitalization for delivery, but was forced to stop and seek immediate help when it became apparent that there wasn't enough time.

Manochio, arriving first, tended Kristen in the front seat of the family car, and Riffert arrived quickly, in time to see the infant begin to crown. The pair enabled the baby to enter the world, right inside the vehicle, police said.

Port Monmouth first-aiders and MONOC paramedics took charge of medical care and brought mother and baby to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Kristen and her husband named their new arrival Axl. Police say mom and baby are in good health.