A couple is suing an Atlanta-area hospital and doctor after their baby was allegedly decapitated during delivery, and hospital staff tried to cover it up, according to a lawsuit.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Roderick Edmond, who represents Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor, gave details about the alleged decapitation.
According to the lawsuit, on July 9, 20-year-old Ross went into full-term labor. After about 10 hours of labor, and completely dilated, the baby became stuck in the birthing canal. The family’s doctor continued for hours to try to pull the baby out.
The lawsuit alleged that during the delivery, the family doctor “pulled on the baby’s head and neck so hard, and manipulated them so hard, that the bones of the baby’s skull, face, and neck were broken.”
According to the lawsuit, doctors performed a C-section hours later and found the baby decapitated. Instead of informing the couple what happened to the baby, doctors tried to cover up what occurred by telling them they didn’t have the right to a free autopsy. They also encouraged the couple to cremate, and concealed what happened to the baby after the couple asked to see the baby.
On Thursday, Southern Regional Medical Center released a statement and denied the allegations.
In the statement, the hospital said that the baby died in utero before delivery, and Ross’ OBGYN named in the lawsuit is “no longer employed by the hospital.”
In part, the hospital’s statement said, “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those impacted by this tragic event. Our prayers also remain with the dedicated team of physicians, nurses and staff at Southern Regional Medical Center who cared for this patient. As our deepest sympathies remain with the family, Southern Regional Medical Center denies the allegations of wrongdoing in the complaint referencing the hospital.”
More about the lawsuit can be found here.
