Newborn’s Death Ruled Homicide: Parents Demand Justice for Their Son
In a devastating turn of events, the parents of a newborn who tragically lost his life during birth held a press conference on Wednesday to shed light on the heart-wrenching circumstances surrounding their son’s death. The Clayton County, Georgia Medical Examiner’s Office recently declared the baby’s death as a homicide, leaving the parents in shock and demanding justice.
Dr. Roderick Edmond, a medical doctor and one of the family’s attorneys, expressed his outrage at the hospital staff’s alleged attempt to conceal the decapitation from the parents. “It’s diabolical in my mind,” Dr. Edmond exclaimed. “That they tried to basically force her to get the baby cremated to basically spoil the evidence.”
The medical examiner’s office ruled the cause of death as a homicide, specifying that the immediate cause was a fracture-dislocation with complete transection of the upper cervical spine and spinal cord. It’s important to note that in this context, homicide refers to the death being caused by another person’s actions and should not be confused with a criminal charge.
During the press conference, Jessica Ross, the mother of the baby named Treveon Taylor Jr., remained quiet, overwhelmed by grief. When asked if she had any words, Ross burst into tears and had to be escorted to another room.
The harrowing revelation that Treveon died due to decapitation during birth came as a shock to both Jessica Ross and her boyfriend, Treveon Taylor Sr. According to their lawyers, the couple only learned about their son’s cause of death three days after the incident.
“We just want justice for our son,” pleaded Treveon Taylor Sr. “They lied to us. They ain’t let us touch him. We don’t like it. We just want justice for our son.”
The unfortunate incident occurred on July 9, 2023, at Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, Georgia. The parents had gone to the hospital for the birth of their son, but complications arose during delivery. Treveon’s shoulders became stuck in the vaginal canal, a condition known as shoulder dystocia, which can be a fetal emergency.
The lawsuit filed by the parents against the hospital in August 2023 reveals that Jessica Ross endured three hours of labor without successful delivery. An obstetrician and other hospital staff were present during the birth, but according to the lawsuit, they failed to follow proper procedures when faced with shoulder dystocia.
Dr. Edmond highlighted the crucial steps that should have been taken during a shoulder dystocia situation, including putting fundal pressure and alerting other hospital staff for assistance. The lawsuit alleges that these essential measures were neglected, ultimately leading to the baby’s tragic death.
After struggling for three hours, Ross was transferred to an operating room for a Cesarean section. It was during this procedure that it was discovered that Treveon had already passed away due to the excessive force applied by the obstetrician during the attempted vaginal delivery.
The most shocking aspect of this heartbreaking story is that Ross and Taylor Sr. were kept in the dark about their son’s decapitation. According to Dr. Edmond, hospital staff allegedly tried to convince them to cremate the body in an attempt to destroy evidence. They were also misled about the availability of a free autopsy through the county. The parents were only allowed to see their child through a looking glass, with his head propped on top of his body and concealed by a blanket.
The parents’ ordeal didn’t end there. It wasn’t until three days after delivery that they were informed about their baby’s decapitation by a funeral home in possession of the body. Cory Lynch, one of the family’s lawyers, revealed this distressing detail.
The hospital, Southern Regional Medical Center, has yet to respond to ABC News’ request for a statement. However, in August, a spokesperson for the hospital denied the allegations made against them. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those impacted by this tragic event,” the hospital’s statement expressed. “Our prayers also remain with the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and staff at Southern Regional Medical Center who cared for this patient.”
In response to the shocking revelation, the Clayton County Police Department initiated an independent investigation. The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office is awaiting the investigative file and charges to be forwarded to their office. As of now, no official statements have been released by the police department.
As the parents continue to grapple with their unimaginable loss, they remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice for their son. Their heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and proper medical procedures during childbirth. The grieving parents hope that their fight will prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy in the future.
