Photo by Denae Brewer/Horizon
Good Samaritans came to the rescue when Kareem Anderson couldn't wait for the stork any longer. Pictured left to right-Ashley, Aida Davis, Socorro Rodriguez and Baby Kareem.

Sisters assist in Anderson Ave special delivery

By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

“I couldn’t believe it!” exclaimed Gabriela Ernesto, as she retold one of the most exciting days of her life. “All I remember was looking down and there he was—on the floor.”

On October 27, Gabriela’s third child, a boy, arrived in the world in ways only seen in movies.

Retuning home from the hospital after numerous contractions and only one centimeter dilated, Mrs. Ernesto wasn’t prepared for what happened later that afternoon.

“My water broke,” she explained. “I was walking down the stairs and the pain was just so bad. I sat down for a second and out comes my son.”

Situated in the building’s second floor hallway, Mrs. Ernesto experienced some tense moments. “The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and he was turning blue. He needed help fast.”

Help came in the form of two sisters.

“Everyone knows us,” said Good Samaritan Aida Davis. Ms. Davis and her sister Socorro Rodriguez have lived in the building for over thirty years. “We’re like the police of this building. Everyone knows to call on us in an emergency.”

Seeing Gabriela and the baby on the floor, the two women immediately jumped into action. “Helping someone is not a problem for me. It’s second nature.” Ms. Rodriguez said.

They worked on unwrapping the umbilical cord. Once that was done they wrapped the baby in a blanket. “I was scared,” said Ms. Davis. “But when I looked down and saw him sucking his thumb I knew he would be alright.”

“The whole thing is amazing to me,” said Mrs. Ernesto. Dubbing the women honorary “grandmas” Mrs. Ernesto said, “They are people you can count on. I am thankful for them.”

Muhammad Ernesto, the proud father, echoed that sentiment. “I can’t put it into words. Whatever they need and whenever they need it, I’m there.”

Ms. Davis and Ms. Rodriguez are no strangers to offering their services. They each volunteer their time working with children at C.E.S. 126 and at the Woodycrest Center on 165 Street between Ogden and Summit avenues.

The Ernesto named their newborn son Kareem, but finding a middle name that is a fitting tribute wasn’t too hard. “We couldn’t call him ‘the stairs baby,’” laughed Mrs. Ernesto. “So we picked Anderson—named after the street where he was born.”

The young Ernesto family—now containing three boys, Muhammad Jr. Ahmar Zion and Kareem Anderson — has a special bond with their newly anointed grandmas. They now live in the apartment Aida Davis once occupied. “I guess everything does have a purpose.” Mr. Ernesto said.

Choking back a bit of emotion, Mr. Ernesto beamed with pride and showed great appreciation for the fast-acting sisters. “This was a pleasant story. It could have been a negative one. I’m just glad they were able to help us out and give us this wonderful gift.”