2-Year-Old Carried Into Baggage Chute at Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport isn't new to travel chaos — but even this was a first. A toddler, just 2 years old, managed to climb onto a luggage conveyor belt and disappear from his mother's sight, sparking a terrifying ordeal at an airport already notorious for high-profile incidents.
A Moment of Distraction, a Harrowing Ride
It all unfolded on May 28 in Terminal A, as the boy's mother was momentarily occupied rebooking a flight with a JetBlue employee. In the blink of an eye, the Staten Island toddler wandered over to an ankle-high conveyor belt, a zone where passengers typically place their bags for screening before boarding. The belt, active at the time, swept him away and dropped him down a chute into the luggage screening area below.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. and immediately prompted an emergency response from Port Authority Police Department officers.
A Split-Second Search Mission
Officers Joseph DeSilvio and Angel Paulino sprang into action after hearing about the incident. As the conveyor system split into multiple routes, the officers also divided their efforts, searching separate paths to track the boy.
After roughly four to five tense minutes, one officer located the toddler near an X-ray machine, just moments before he would have entered the scanner. The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association described the moment as a narrow rescue, stating that the officers "realized the danger the child was in" and acted "without hesitation," as reported by Fox News.
The child, though visibly shaken and missing a shoe and sock, was unharmed. He was soon reunited with his panicked mother and the pair eventually resumed their journey to Tampa, Florida.
Another Chapter in Newark's Troubles
This latest scare adds to Newark Liberty International Airport's growing list of alarming incidents. Labeled a "delay-plagued h---hole" by critics, the airport has faced a slew of operational setbacks in recent months — including air traffic control blackouts, alarming staffing shortages, and even warnings from insiders who claim the airport is "not safe," according to the New York Post.
On April 28, for example, air traffic controllers at the airport temporarily lost both radar and communication capabilities for 90 seconds, creating a ripple effect that delayed thousands of flights. That same month, at least five FAA employees reportedly took trauma leave following the ordeal. The radar failure wasn't a one-off: a similar blackout occurred the previous November.
The airport also came under fire just two weeks ago, when New Jersey health officials issued a public health warning after an individual infected with measles traveled through Terminal B.
A History of Conveyor Belt Dangers
As strange as it may sound, incidents involving children and luggage belts aren't unheard of. In a tragic 2013 case in Spain, a 5-month-old infant died after a stationary belt unexpectedly switched on, fatally injuring the child who had been left in a car seat atop the machine.
While this latest incident ended far more fortunately, it serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly everyday travel environments can become hazardous, especially for curious young children.
Gratitude and Relief
The toddler's grandfather later told PIX 11 that he was deeply grateful to the officers who saved his grandson, and that both the boy and his mother were okay following the terrifying experience. JetBlue, meanwhile, did not issue an immediate comment regarding the incident.
Chaos Continues Despite Improvements
While the Port Authority recently reopened a runway 13 days ahead of schedule in a bid to restore order at the airport, incidents like this continue to highlight broader safety and infrastructure concerns. Although the airport's construction schedule has been accelerated with round-the-clock crews, Newark remains a challenging environment for passengers and staff alike.
A Wake-Up Call for All Travelers
Whether it's technical failures or unexpected hazards like a runaway toddler on a luggage belt, Newark Liberty International Airport seems to be the epicenter of travel turmoil in 2025. The lesson here? Keep a close eye on the little ones, stay alert, and maybe don’t let your guard down even for a second.
After all, when it comes to airports like Newark, the unexpected has become the new normal.
References: 2-year-old boy is swept away on luggage conveyor belt at Newark Airport in latest terror at beleaguered travel hub | Newark baggage conveyor belt carries away 2-year-old boy, officers spring into action
