The Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office has officially determined that the tragic death of an infant, who was unexpectedly decapitated while in a Georgia hospital, has been classified as a homicide.
A tragic incident occurred on July 9 as Jessica Ross, 20, went into labor and gave birth to her son, Treveon Isaiah Taylor, Jr. According to a lawsuit filed by the family, the labor lasted for about 10 hours, during which the baby experienced complications such as shoulder dystocia, a condition where the baby's shoulders become stuck during delivery.
Family Alleges Negligence in Baby's Decapitation
Dr. Tracy St. Julian, the attending physician, reportedly attempted for hours to deliver the baby vaginally. However, it was not until a Cesarean section was performed that the baby's body was successfully delivered, while the head was delivered vaginally. Shockingly, the family alleges that Dr. St. Julian did not disclose the decapitation to them during their interaction hours after the birth.
Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that the hospital discouraged the family from pursuing an autopsy and instead advised them to opt for cremation. When the family insisted on seeing and holding their child, they found the baby tightly wrapped in a blanket with the head positioned to conceal the decapitation.
The revelation of the decapitation came from the Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, prompting an investigation by the Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office. The Clayton County Police Department initiated a criminal investigation, while state agencies overseeing the medical professionals involved were also notified.
In response to the lawsuit, Southern Regional Medical Center released a statement asserting that the infant's death occurred before delivery and decapitation and distanced themselves from Dr. St. Julian, stating she was not an employee of the hospital.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the family's suffering and alleges negligence on the part of Dr. St. Julian and Premier Women's OB/GYN, LLC. It also accuses nurses of gross negligence for their alleged failure to follow proper procedures during the birth, according to Fox 5.
Baby's Death Cause
The medical examiner's report cited the cause of death as a fracture-dislocation of the upper cervical spine and spinal cord, attributed to shoulder dystocia, labor arrest, and fetal entrapment in the birth canal, with contributing factors including pregnancy-induced diabetes and premature rupture of membranes.
Following the initial investigation, consultations were held with OB/GYN experts, both in-state and out-of-state, to further assess the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.
Meanwhile, there has been no update on whether charges will be filed in connection with the case. Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor, Sr. previously filed a lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center, alleging negligence during the delivery process.
The lawsuit claimed that excessive force was applied during labor and that the manner of the baby's death was concealed from the family for days. The hospital initially cited patient privacy laws when responding to the allegations but later denied the claims, reiterating that the doctor involved was not employed by the hospital.
In a separate lawsuit, the couple alleged that a pathologist hired to conduct an independent autopsy on their baby shared graphic videos of the examination on social media, leading to further distress for the grieving family.
As the investigation progresses, those involved and authorities will probably provide updates as more information emerges, 11 Alive reported.
