
An Indiana woman's family claims she was wheeled out of a hospital in active labor, forcing her to give birth on the side of a road.
Relatives of Mercedes Wells told ABC station WLS in Chicago she was discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital in Crown Point on Sunday, as hospital staff told her to go home to wait for her labor to progress. She then gave birth eight minutes later on the side of the road, the family told the affiliate.
Wells' sister-in-law, Cherise Thompson, confirmed to WLS that Wells' husband Leon delivered the baby in their truck.
"He grabbed, like, a blanket, and then, put the baby on Mercedes' chest, my niece on her chest, and drove the rest of the way to the hospital, to Munster Community," Thompson told WLS.
"Mercedes begged her. She begged her," Thompson alleges about the nurse working with Wells, according to WLS. "She said, 'I'm really in active labor. I can feel it, contractions as I walk. I mean my pain. I'm telling you; I can feel it.' And she just ignored her."
An attorney for Mercedes Wells and her family did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Husband speaks out after wife dies from serious complication in childbirth
In a statement, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady told ABC News that the hospital is investigating the incident.
“We are grateful to learn from online and media reports that both mother and child are reportedly doing well," Grady said. "We understand the concern this has raised. The video is just one part of the information we are reviewing as part of a thorough investigation into this alleged incident."
He added, "While patient privacy laws make it difficult for us to comment more deeply, it is important to note that the videos and the narrative surrounding them do not accurately represent Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Catholic healthcare ministry’s values, which include respect for life, compassionate concern and Christian stewardship. Our goal is to make everyone who walks through our doors feel the love of Christ through our actions."
Only 25% of moms in US report 'excellent' mental health, marking an alarming decline
The hospital says they aim to give patients personalized birthing services, according to their website.
"At Franciscan Health, our team of obstetricians and medical staff provides you and your baby with the best care possible during and after pregnancy," the hospital's website reads. "We provide a personalized approach to delivery where you and your obstetrician discuss a birth plan and expectations."
LATEST POSTS
- 1
The last penny was pressed by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia today. Could the nickel and dime be next? - 2
6 Monetary Arranging Administrations for Your Necessities - 3
How 2025 became the year of comet: The rise of interstellar 3I/ATLAS, an icy Lemmon and a cosmic SWAN - 4
IDF uncovers 7 km.-long Gaza terror tunnel where Hamas held Hadar Goldin - 5
Where is Santa right now? NORAD tracks his 2025 Christmas Eve flight.
Vote in favor of Your Fantasy Vehicle: Which Notable Model Catches Your Heart?
How comfort foods trigger pleasure in our brains
Wellness Bits of knowledge Readily available: A Survey of \Following Wellbeing and Progress\ Wellness Wearables
6 Arranging Administrations to Change Your Open air Space
Vote In favor of Your Favored Web-based Visual depiction Administration
Revealing the Specialty of Food Matching: Improving Culinary Encounters
Manual for Instructive Application for Youngsters
Figure out How to Amplify the Resale Worth of Your Kona SUV
Winter storm warnings issued across Northeast as up to 9 inches of snow forecast; deadly atmospheric river in California snarls travel













