A medical helicopter was called in to transport the child to a hospital, but its takeoff was delayed due to a drone flying directly above it.
ORANGE, Texas — A drone operator who deputies say delayed a medical helicopter’s takeoff in February 2025 has been charged with a misdemeanor.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The above video first aired in February 2025)
A 64-year-old Orange County man has been charged with “interfering with public duties,” which is a class B misdemeanor. The charge is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
He was arrested on Tuesday and as of Wednesday morning, was still in the Orange County Jail where his bond has not yet been set.
It is unknown currently if any federal charges have or will be filed in the case.
The incident happened on Feb. 9, when a 3-year-old child went into cardiac arrest after nearly drowning in a swimming pool on Chimney Rock Drive near Orangefield. First responders arrived around 4:30 p.m., where the child’s parents were already performing CPR, according to Orange County ESD #2 Assistant Fire Chief Josh Taylor.
A medical helicopter was called in to transport the child to a hospital, but its takeoff was delayed due to a drone flying directly above it. The pilot of the drone was identified, and the device was confiscated, Orange County Sheriff Bobby Smith said at the time.
Flight safety experts say the incident could have had serious consequences for both the child and the crew.
Aaron Nieto, a pilot for Southeast Texas Air Rescue, said drones are a growing concern for emergency responders.
“All of those things are putting us in danger, especially during life flight operations, search and rescue – that’s where we live, that’s where we work,” Nieto said.
Nieto explained that pilots routinely check for obstacles before takeoff, but recreational drones are not included in official notices.
“Very detrimental,” Nieto said. “Anything that comes within our rotor systems, or tail rotor, or it could come through the window if we’re going high speeds. Typically, we’re going around 130 miles an hour.”
Alyson Nickum-Smith, a flight nurse and the program director for Southeast Texas Air Rescue, said the drone was flying 50 to 100 feet above the helicopter. She credited Bridge City firefighters with spotting it in time.
“If it had not been for the fire department guarding our area and watching what was going on, we may not have seen it,” Nickum-Smith said. “They did an amazing job at identifying this for us and keeping us safe.”
She also warned that interfering with emergency operations can lead to legal consequences, including federal charges.
“You can get in trouble,” Nickum-Smith said. “Understand, it may just be state or local, but when you get into airspace and the FAA, it could turn federal for you.”
The child was ultimately airlifted to a Houston hospital and has made a full recovery, thanks to the life-saving measures performed by Corporal Orrin Landers..