In a startling incident in Keene, New Hampshire, Officer Jason Short responded to an urgent 911 call about a baby left in a hot car at a Walmart parking lot. Fearing for the infant’s safety on an unusually hot day, Short rushed to the scene. When he arrived, he saw what appeared to be a lifeless baby wrapped in a blanket, its tiny feet sticking out of the car window.

Acting quickly, Officer Short smashed the car window with his baton and pulled the baby out, beginning CPR as a crowd gathered around. But as he examined the infant, a strange feeling of unease set in. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the “baby” was not alive—it was a remarkably realistic “reborn” doll, designed to look like a real infant.

The doll’s owner, Carolynne Seiffer, returned to find a broken car window and a crowd of onlookers. She explained that the doll, named Ainsley, is one of 40 she owns, each helping her cope with the grief of losing her son. Seiffer shared, “You can’t know how people choose to deal with their losses in life,” highlighting the emotional role these lifelike dolls play for grieving parents.

Although initially embarrassed, Officer Short expressed no regrets over his actions. Speaking to local media, he said he would “always assume that it’s a child” and “never do anything different.” His swift response demonstrated his dedication to protecting children, and he was relieved that the doll was not a real baby.

While some may find humor in the incident, it underscores a serious message about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars. Additionally, it offers insight into the therapeutic use of reborn dolls for grieving parents. Officer Short’s instinctive actions serve as a reminder of the importance of immediate intervention when a child’s safety is at stake, even if the situation turns out to be a false alarm.