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“compiled:Sophia Bennett”
NEWARK, NJ — Newark Liberty International Airport has seen its share of chaos — but even veteran staff were stunned on May 28, when a two-year-old boy vanished down a luggage conveyor belt, triggering a frantic emergency search.
The Staten Island toddler slipped away from his mother as she rebooked a flight with a JetBlue agent in Terminal A. In mere seconds, he wandered to an active baggage belt, climbed aboard, and was swept down into the bowels of the airport — setting off a harrowing chain of events that nearly ended in tragedy.
Seconds From Disaster
Port Authority Police officers Joseph DeSilvio and Angel Paulino jumped into action. The conveyor system split into multiple chutes, forcing the officers to split up and follow different tracks. Within minutes, one of them found the toddler near an X-ray machine — just in time to stop him from entering the scanner.
According to the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, the rescue was a close call: “They acted without hesitation and recognized the danger immediately.” The child was frightened and missing a shoe and sock but otherwise unharmed. He was quickly reunited with his shaken mother before continuing their journey to Tampa, Florida.
Not Newark’s First Incident
This bizarre near-tragedy adds to the list of troubling events at Newark, already under fire for delays, technical failures, and health concerns. Just weeks earlier, air traffic controllers briefly lost both radar and communication with aircraft — the second such incident in less than a year. FAA staff described the ordeal as traumatic, with several reportedly taking leave afterward.
And in mid-May, a passenger infected with measles passed through Terminal B, prompting a public health alert from state officials.
Critics have long labeled Newark “a delay-plagued disaster zone,” and this latest event has renewed questions about operational safety, especially with young passengers.
A Troubling Trend
Incidents involving conveyor belts and children are rare but not unprecedented. In 2013, a 5-month-old infant died in a Spanish airport after being placed — in a car seat — on a stationary belt that suddenly activated.
Though the Newark case ended safely, it underscores how quickly everyday airport environments can become dangerous.
Ongoing Upgrades, Persistent Problems
Despite recent efforts to improve infrastructure — including reopening a major runway nearly two weeks ahead of schedule — Newark continues to face scrutiny over safety and reliability. Renovation crews work around the clock, yet the airport remains a focal point of frequent disruptions.
One Second Can Change Everything
For the toddler’s family, the outcome was a relief. “We’re just thankful he’s okay,” his grandfather told local media. But the message for other travelers is clear: stay alert. In busy, unpredictable places like Newark, one moment of distraction can lead to disaster.
As air travel ramps up post-pandemic, the toddler’s wild ride is a wake-up call for travelers — and a reminder that, especially at Newark, the unexpected is never far away.
