RAMONA, Calif. -- A sheriff's helicopter was turned into an aerial ambulance Wednesday when an ill child needed to be transported to a hospital, sheriff's officials said.

The boy was at a residential board-and-care facility at 1658 Royal Vista Drive and began having heart problems around 11:30 a.m., said Sgt. Jon Shellhammer.

The youngster, who is believed to be 3 or 4 years old, was already suffering from numerous health problems, according to Shellhammer.

Since the Mercy air ambulance was not available, a sheriff's Super Huey chopper was called in to fly the boy to Children's Hospital -- a mission that was accomplished in about 25 minutes, said the pilot, Deputy Gene Palos.

The sheriff's department is called upon to make medical transports about once a month, Palos said.