Police officer attending to Tampines domestic dispute between woman & maid saves choking baby who'd turned purple

Singapore police officer Sergeant Muhammad Ammar Bin Abdul Razak was called to attend to a domestic dispute case at Tampines Street 33 on Sep. 19, 2025.

This was after a man reported that his domestic helper was having a dispute with his wife at home.

However, within minutes, what was supposed to be a routine response to a situation at a home became a crisis for Sergeant Ammar and his partner on duty.

Baby not responding

Before arriving, the two police officers despatched to the scene thought they would just have to intervene by separating both parties and provide mediation to deescalate the dispute.

Just as the police officers started mediation after they arrived, the wife turned to the hall where the baby was.

She sensed something was wrong and lifted her son, but he did not respond.

Recalling what had happened, Sergeant Ammar said: “She ran towards me with her baby, shouting, ‘Help, officer! My baby is choking!”

Instinct and trained responses kicked in

Taking the baby from the wife, the police officer realised the child was changing colour.

He said: “He was trying to cry but he couldn’t, and his cheeks were turning purple.”

“My experience caring for my nephew while he was a newborn helped in this moment,” he added.

He immediately called the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for an ambulance, then positioned the baby face-down on his forearm.

Using measured force, he delivered several back blows to dislodge whatever was blocking the baby’s airway.

“In first aid, we’re taught to prioritise life over limb,” he said.

“When it comes to a newborn, it’s hard to feel the same way, but I had to do what was necessary.”

He turned the baby around to clear his airway.

The baby vomited fluid as the mother watched in distress.

“We were both praying for the baby to make a sound,” Sergeant Ammar recalled.

“Shortly after, he began crying, and we all let out a huge sigh of relief.”

First time performing first aid on duty

According to a police media release, Sergeant Ammar had completed his first-aid training in April 2025, which is a mandatory requirement for police officers.

He had previously responded to cardiac arrest incidents through the MyResponder app, but had never had to perform any life-saving procedures till this incident.

Minutes later, SCDF paramedics arrived and took over.

After assessing the baby, they confirmed that he was stable and would recover fully.

Continued mediation

Sergeant Ammar continued mediating between the wife and the domestic helper as the baby was being prepared for transport to the hospital.

The matter was resolved.

“I have a one-year-old nephew, whom I dearly love,” Sergeant Ammar added.

“This incident affected me in many ways, one of which was to make me realise that as an officer, I must be as well-prepared as possible for any situation.”

A regular officer since 2022, Sergeant Ammar began his national service with the police at the Tampines Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) in 2019, and subsequently signed on.

All photos via Singapore Police Force