Death of baby decapitated during delivery ruled homicide
Editor's Note: The details in this story may be disturbing to some; reader's discretion is advised.
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. (WJW) – A Georgia medical examiner has determined a baby’s decapitation death during delivery last summer was a homicide.
Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. previously filed a lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center, located in Riverdale, Georgia, and Dr. Tracey St. Julian.
According to the lawsuit, their baby became stuck during delivery on July 9.
The lawsuit claims St. Julian applied “ridiculously excessive force” on the baby’s head and neck during delivery and waited three hours before taking Ross for a cesarean section. By that time, the fetal monitor had stopped registering a heartbeat, according to the couple.
Their lawyer said the C-section removed the baby’s legs and body, but the head was delivered vaginally.
The lawsuit claims neither the doctor, nor the hospital, told the couple about the decapitation and had wrapped the baby in a blanket with his head “propped on top of his body.”
The hospital denied wrongdoing in a statement, saying the "unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation."
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the Clayton County Medical Examiner determined the baby’s death was caused by a fracture-dislocation with complete transection of the upper cervical spine and spinal cord. It was caused by shoulder dystocia, arrest of labor, and fetal entrapment in the birth canal, the medical examiner ruled.
The case remains under investigation by the Clayton County Police Department. No charges have been filed.