Couple Hits Jackpot With Casino Birth

A Green Country family is celebrating the birth of a Christmas Day baby.  The baby was born at a casino when her parents realized they wouldn't make it to a hospital.

Friday, December 28th 2007, 8:41 pm

By: News On 6


On Christmas Day, we observe the birth of a baby in a manger. A Green Country family is celebrating the birth of another Christmas Day baby, not in a manger or even in a hospital. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports Abigail Renae Bennett, a beautiful bundle of joy, is only a few days old.  The child was born at a casino.

"I've got one of the best stories I've ever had for Christmas now. Ever," said Abigail's dad, John Bennett.

When she's a little older, her proud parents will share the incredible story of how little Abigail arrived on Christmas Day.

"She kind of rushed her way into this world. She was ready to celebrate Christmas, too. I guess," said Nicole Flinn, Abigail's mother.

Parents to be, John Bennett and Nicole Flinn, were rushing down Highway 62 from Muskogee to the Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. And, it was soon clear; they weren't going to make it on time.

"My water broke in the truck in the passenger seat, and I could feel the baby's head," said Nicole Flinn.

"We pulled over on the side of the road and I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off," added Abigail's father John Bennett.

When Nicole's water broke, they stopped to call for help.

"I'm yelling at them. I can see a head. I need some help," said John Bennett.

They stopped at the first parking lot which happened to be in front of the Cherokee Casino. With the help of a Cherokee Nation paramedic, a seven pound, five ounce jackpot was born in John's pickup.

"An EMS person that delivered her, Charles Lawless, he's on her birth certificate as the one who delivered her," said mother Nicole Flinn.

"They wanted to put me on oxygen. They thought I was going to pass out," said Abigail's father John Bennett.

"I've had the neighbors and stuff come by and say, ‘Can I rub her head for good luck?' And, I'm like ha ha. She's automatically the good luck baby now I guess," added mother Nicole Flinn.

Little Abigail's unique arrival is getting her a lot of attention, although she's sleeping through most of it. Her parents are just thrilled she's doing fine, and they're overjoyed with happiness brought by an unexpected Christmas surprise.

Proud dad John Bennett is a chef at an Italian restaurant in Muskogee. He plans to treat the paramedic who delivered Abigail to a free meal as a way of saying thanks.

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