A heartbreaking lawsuit has been filed by a Georgia woman who claims her baby was decapitated during birth.
Jessica Ross, 20, filed a fraud and negligence lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center in Clayton County – along with the doctors and nurses who delivered her baby.
The complaint also alleges the hospital attempted to conceal the manner of death of the baby from Jessica and her boyfriend, Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr.
According to the lawsuit Jessica Ross went into labor on July 9 and her doctor “attempted to deliver the baby vaginally using different methods including applying traction to the baby’s head.”
During the delivery, the baby, who was named after his father, “did not properly descend due to shoulder dystocia,” a condition when the baby’s shoulders became stuck in the vaginal canal.
The delivering physician “grossly” and “negligently applied excessive traction” on the head and neck of the baby.”
The lawsuit alleges the doctor “failed to do a Cesarean section in a timely and proper manner, resulting in Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr.’s decapitation and death.”
A statement from the family’s spokesperson said Jessica Ross and Treveon Sr. “demanded to see and hold their baby, hospital staff told them that they were not allowed to touch or hold their child.”
“Hospital staff allowed the young couple to only view their dead child,” the statement from the family’s spokesperson reads.
“During this viewing, their baby was wrapped tightly in a blanket with his head propped on top of his body in a manner such that those viewing him could not identify that he had been decapitated,” according to the statement.
Attorney Roderick Edmond said the baby’s head was delivered vaginally, but a subsequent c-section was done three hours after Jessica’s labor had started.
During that procedure, the baby’s body and legs were removed.
Southern Regional Medical Center “denies the allegations in the complaint referencing the hospital.”
The facility did release the following statement:
Due to patient privacy laws and HIPAA, we are unable to discuss the care and treatment of specific patients.
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.
While our sympathies go out to the family, Southern Regional Medical Center denies the allegations in the Complaint referencing the hospital.
Since this matter is in litigation, we cannot provide additional statements.
Southern Regional Medical Center also said that the physician involved in Ross’ delivery, Dr. Tracey St. Julian, “is not and never has been an employee of the hospital.” They added that the loss of Ross’ baby is “heartbreaking.”
The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages, along with $10,000 to cover the cost of their child’s funeral and burial.
Watch the press conference below.
Please keep Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. in your thoughts and prayers.
