A frantic 9-1-1 call about a two-week-old baby turning blue Wednesday afternoon in Wal-Mart got an immediate response from police personnel receiving the dispatcher’s plea for help.

Manteca Police Public Affairs Officer Rex Osborn was first on the scene, running into the front door of the Wal-Mart store on South Main Street yelling to workers for directions to the electronics department  – the source of the call.

Osborn took the baby and turned him over in his hands – patting on his back – until he got the infant breathing.  Within minutes behind Osborn were two patrolmen who had also rushed to the department store hoping they could help to revive the child. Firemen and the Manteca Ambulance personnel  arrived in short order.

In listening to a police radio it was clear that the public affairs officer and reserve police captain was responsible for saving the child.   Osborn’s breathless voice came over the air as he ordered the side emergency door in the electronics department be opened for medics to enter.

The infant named Johnathan was transported to an area hospital where he is expected to survive more than likely due to the quick response of a caring public servant who first heard the call at Union Road and Yosemite Avenue.

When asked about the child, Osborn responded, “He’s as cute as a bug.”