Taunton Police officer reunites with 2-year-old boy that he helped save

TAUNTON — Chief Edward Walsh has announced that a Taunton Police sergeant was recently reunited with a 2-year-old boy whom he helped save when the boy was choking on a piece of food at a daycare in May.

Sgt. Matthew Laranjo was greeted at the Taunton Police station on Thursday, May 30, by 2-year-old Joseph Teodoro and his parents Rafaella Teodoro and Magnun Teodoro. The family thanked Sgt. Laranjo for helping to save Joseph’s life.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., on May 9, Taunton Police officers responded to the Taunton Old Colony YMCA, located at 71 Cohannet St., for a report of a young child who was choking.

Sgt. Matthew Laranjo was the first to arrive on-scene where the boy was choking on a piece of cantaloupe and being assisted by a staff member. Sgt. Laranjo immediately began to render aid to Joseph. After three rounds of back blows he was successfully able to dislodge the obstruction to the point where the boy could take breaths, but the obstruction was still in the child’s throat.

Taunton Police Patrolman Nathan Matos arrived a short time later and assisted in providing further aid until paramedics from the Taunton Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance arrived.

As the boy was being placed into an ambulance, he was able to fully cough up the piece of food on his own. He was transported to Morton Hospital, along with a staff member from the YMCA.

Sgt. Laranjo met Joseph’s parents at the hospital and spoke to them about the incident.

Last week, they came to visit the police station and hugged and thanked Sgt. Laranjo.

“I am thrilled that little Joseph is doing better and it was very special that he came to visit us with his parents at the station,” Chief Walsh said. “A situation like that is a parent’s worst nightmare and Sgt. Laranjo and our other responding officers were able to fall back on their training and save this boy’s life.”

In addition to Sgt. Laranjo and Patrolman Matos, Patrolmen John F. Reilly III, Stephen Harrison and Patrolwoman Hannah Fonseca also responded to the call and provided assistance.