Authorities in Georgia are investigating the death of an infant who, according to attorneys, was beheaded during delivery last month.
The Clayton County Police Department announced Thursday that an investigation has been opened into the July 9 infant fatality at a hospital in Riverdale. The law enforcement agency did not expand on the scope of the investigation and stated that it could not provide additional information because the investigation was in its preliminary stages.
In a lawsuit filed against Southern Regional Medical Center, attorneys for Jessica Ross, age 20, allege that medical personnel acted negligently during her delivery.
According to the lawsuit, the baby stopped descending during vaginal delivery due to shoulder dystocia, indicating the shoulders could not fit through the pelvis. According to reports, Dr. Tracey St. Julian attempted to deliver the infant vaginally using various techniques, including applying traction to the baby’s head.
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During a news conference, one of Ross’ attorneys, Roderick Edmond, stated that the bones in the infant’s cranium, face, and neck were fractured as a result of the doctor’s delivery attempts.
The hospital stated in a statement to Fox News Digital that the infant perished prior to delivery.
“As our deepest sympathies remain with the family, Southern Regional Medical Center denies the allegations of wrongdoing in the Complaint referencing the hospital,” the statement read. “Due to patient privacy regulations and HIPAA, we are unable to discuss the care and treatment of specific patients. However, we can confirm that this infant passed away in utero prior to delivery and beheading.
“The hospital voluntarily notified the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s office of the death and is cooperating with all investigations. Since this matter is currently in litigation, we are unable to provide further comment,” the statement continued. “Dr. St. Julian is not and has never been a hospital employee. Our commitment is to provide every patient with compassionate, high-quality care, and this loss is devastating for everyone involved.”
According to the lawsuit, the hospital allegedly discouraged Ross and the baby’s father from requesting an autopsy and instructed them to transport the infant to a funeral home for cremation.
Cory Lynch, an attorney for Ross, stated at a press conference announcing the lawsuit that no complaint of the alleged beheading was ever made to authorities. He stated that a funeral home had reported the death.
“They did everything possible to conceal the incident from the family,” Lynch said. The lawsuit demands damages that are not specified.
