Doctor allegedly decapitates a baby due to failed cesarean section
A couple from Georgia, Atlanta has filed a lawsuit against a doctor for the death of their firstborn during delivery, claiming that he decapitated the baby.
Jessica Ross and her boyfriend Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. alleged that Dr. Tracey St. Julian "failed to practice in accordance with medical standards." He "negligently applied excessive traction" on the infant's head and neck resulting in their son Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr.'s decapitation. They also filed a complaint against Southern Regional Medical Center for attempting to conceal the baby's cause of death.
The lawsuit claims that Ross, 20, tried a regular delivery on July 9 but that the baby failed to descend properly because of shoulder dystocia, a condition in which the baby's shoulders get stuck in the vaginal canal.
St. Julian took about three hours to move Ross to a cesarean section, and by the time they got there, the fetal heartbeat was no longer detected. In this process, the baby's legs and body were amputated.
The hospital refusing the request of the bereaved parents to hold their dead child just adds trauma to the couple’s tragic experience. They were only permitted to see their lifeless son but not touch him.
The lawsuit asserts that the doctors attempted to conceal what occurred by allegedly telling the parents they could not receive a free autopsy. The hospital also recommended cremation and did not explain what happened during delivery, specifically, that the baby had already been decapitated.
“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 read by the couple’s spokesperson.
Subsequently, Southern Regional Medical Center denied employment of Dr. St. Julian in their hospital and could not elaborate further details. Spokeswoman Kimberly Golden-Benner assured Ross and Treveon that they have taken the necessary actions in response to this tragic circumstance.
“Our commitment is to provide compassionate, quality care to every single patient, and loss is heartbreaking,” the hospital said.
According to the complaint, Ross and Taylor should receive compensation for the child's suffering and demise as well as Ross' "tremendous mental and physical anguish and trauma" that she went through when she was conscious and the doctor was trying to remove the kid.
Additionally, the case asks for compensation for the loss of earnings and the loss of enjoyment of life as well as damages for the entire value of the baby's life.