fb-pixelOfficers make special delivery: baby girl born at police station in Mattapan - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Officers make special delivery: baby girl born at police station in Mattapan

Baby Francesca Pierre and her mom, Tracey, were greeted by Boston Police Officer Nadia Siconolfi (right) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center after she was born outside of the District B-3 police station Thursday morning.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Boston police helped make a special delivery when a woman gave birth to a baby girl at the District B-3 station in Mattapan on Thursday morning.

Police said the couple pulled over at the police station on Blue Hill Avenue around 7:15 a.m., just as Officers Jose Gomes and Byron Foote were bringing in a prisoner.

Gomes said when he first heard the car horn beeping and a man shouting for help, he thought someone had been shot or stabbed. But when he looked inside the vehicle, he got a surprise: the woman in the passenger seat was in labor.

Gomes radioed for EMS, and Officers Nadia Siconolfi and Berlino Felix came over to help.

Advertisement



“It happened so fast,” said Siconolfi, who estimated it took under a minute for the baby to make her debut.

Siconolfi admitted she got a little misty-eyed when she saw the newborn for the first time. “She was so cute,” she said.

Siconolfi said they’re used to responding to bad incidents; it’s not every day they get to see a new life being ushered into the world.

“We were so happy to see this baby born,” she said. “It was just such a beautiful thing. It was a good day. Today was a good day.”

As it turned out, the baby’s parents — Tracey and Francis Pierre — had left their home in Stoughton and were on their way to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where they had an appointment and were scheduled to give birth that morning.

Tracey said her doctor had assured her that she had plenty of time to get to the hospital. But their baby girl clearly had other plans.

“I knew I had to get to the hospital fast,” said Francis. “We didn’t make it.”

Tracey recalled the moment she realized she was about to have the baby. She turned to him and said, “You need to pull over.”

Advertisement



After that, she said, “Everything was a blur.”

Their newborn daughter — who they named Francesca — was born outside of the District B-3 station. She measured 19 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and Francis was given the honor of cutting her umbilical cord.

The officers at the scene credited the EMTs and paramedics who responded to their call for help, as well as the parents for keeping their cool.

“We also just want to give credit here to the mom, who just remained so calm,” said Siconolfi. “The dad did a fantastic job.”

Later on that morning, police stopped by the hospital and paid a visit to the Pierre family.

One of the officers handed the Pierres a gift bag containing a stuffed bear (wearing a Boston Police shirt) and two coffee mugs bearing the BPD shield.

Siconolfi joked that the mugs should come in handy.

“Because mom and dad are going to need lots of coffee for the next couple of months,” she said.

The Pierre family spent the rest of the morning at Beth Israel, along with Francesca’s aunt and grandmother. They were all doing well and in good spirits.

“We started the day off right,” said Francis.

Tracey was reclined in a bed at the hospital with Francesca in her arms. Francis was all smiles as he stood beside her.

The officers from B-3 entered the room and congratulated the Pierres.

Advertisement



Francis thanked the officers who assisted them at the scene.

“Thank you guys so much,” he said. “We appreciate it.”

Francesca Pierre.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
Officers Jose Gomes (center) and Byron Foote (right) visited with Francesca Pierre and her Mom Tracey and Dad Francis (not pictured) and Grandma Marie (2nd from left) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @emilysweeney.