Polk County family’s chance encounter with firefighter at SeaWorld saves newborn’s life

ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — A Polk County family's chance encounter with a firefighter at SeaWorld led to their newborn son receiving a shocking diagnosis.

Sarah Love, her husband and their six children were enjoying a day at the theme park when they were approached by the firefighter, NBC affiliate WESH reports .

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"He came over. He explained who he was. He said he didn't want to scare us, but it looked like our baby needed medical attention," Love said. "He said he was really jaundiced. He didn't think it was anything scary or to be worried about, but he was just concerned."

When they returned to Polk County, they learned the baby, Lincoln, had Alagille syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and needed surgery.

"It can affect the kidneys. It can affect the heart. It can affect the skeletal system, the eyes, hearing," Love said. "A lot of things we were noticing could have gone untreated."

Love said her son's condition is improving and she believes that God put the firefighter at the right place at the right time to save her son's life.

"I absolutely think it was our heavenly father putting the right people in the right place at the right time. I think it was a lot of courage on his part. I'm sure there was some hesitation or unsure feelings on his part that he should speak up," Love said.