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A Georgia hospital is named in a new lawsuit alleging that a doctor initially denied a C-section to a woman and ultimately decapitated her baby.
Per a report from the Associated Press, Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. have sued Southern Regional Medical Center and Dr. Tracey St. Julian after the latter allegedly used “ridiculously excessive force” when delivering their baby in July.
An eventual C-section procedure is alleged to have been performed around three hours after the couple initially requested it. At the time of the procedure, the lawsuit alleges, a heartbeat was no longer being detected from the baby.
"The feet came out, the body came out, and there was no head," attorney Roderick Edmond said at a press conference this week.
At the center of the lawsuit are accusations involving what the couple claims is a subsequent coverup attempt involving hospital employees. Specifically, the couple alleges that the hospital tried to persuade them to not pursue an autopsy.
When reached for comment by Complex, a Southern Regional Medical Center spokesperson provided a statement that said Dr. St Julian “is not and never has been” an employee. The hospital also said it reported the death to the local medical examiner’s office, claiming that the death happened “in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation.” See the full statement below.
"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. Due to patient privacy laws and HIPAA, we are unable to discuss the care and treatment of specific patients, but we can state this unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation. The hospital voluntarily reported the death to the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s office and is cooperating with all investigations. Since this matter is in litigation, we cannot provide additional statements.
Dr. St Julian is not and never has been an employee of the hospital.
Our commitment is to provide compassionate, quality care to every single patient, and this loss is heartbreaking for all involved."
The doctor is listed on the official Premier Women’s OB/GYN website as a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who’s been working in the Atlanta area since 2005.
Complex has also reached out to two lawyers representing the family in this suit, which alleges gross negligence by the defendants. This story may be updated.
