Port Authority Police swiftly locate, save boy before he reaches x-ray machine

A 2-year-old boy was rescued from a luggage screening area at Newark Liberty International Airport last week.

The child was swept away by “a conveyor belt at the JetBlue ticketing counter on the departures level,” the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told Fox News Digital via email. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

After falling down a chute to the lower level of the Terminal A checked baggage room, Port Authority Police Department officers went after him, according to local TV station PIX 11.

“The cops, realizing the danger the child was in, without hesitation, entered the conveyor system and, after about four minutes, located the child who was headed for an x-ray machine,” the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Inc said of the incident in a social media post.

People wait for their luggage in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 14, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago)

The toddler’s grandfather told PIX 11 he was grateful to the officers who went after the boy, and that the boy and his mother were okay.

JetBlue did not immediately get back to Fox News Digital request for comment.

United Airlines ground crew load luggage onto a Boeing 737 Max-8 plane at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg)

The airport has been in the headlines for flight delays and air traffic control issues, but a closed runway reopened this week 13 days ahead of schedule, allowing regular runway operations to resume Monday.

The Port Authority, which oversees the airport, accelerated the construction schedule by bringing in additional crews, expanding shifts and enabling construction 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Baggage claim area with conveyor belt and passengers collecting luggage at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey, on Oct. 19, 2024. ( Smith Collection/Gado)

“I commend the crews who have worked tirelessly to get this critical project done ahead of schedule,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “I’m grateful for New Jersey’s partnership with the Port Authority and the FAA as we work to return to full capacity at Newark Airport. New Jersey will do all we can to support plans from the [U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)] to invest in modernizing our air traffic control system and fully staffing our air traffic controllers.”