CLAYTON COUNTY, Georgia – The 2023 death of an infant who was decapitated during delivery has been ruled a homicide by the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office. The ruling came after an incident involving the newborn, Treveon Isaiah Taylor, Jr., on July 10, 2023. The medical examiner’s report stated that the baby’s death was a result of “shoulder dystocia, arrest of labor, and fetal entrapment in the birth canal.”
According to a lawsuit filed by the parents, Jessica Ross, 20, and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr., their baby’s shoulders became stuck during delivery due to “shoulder dystocia.” The lawsuit alleged that the attending physician applied excessive traction on the baby’s head and the hospital failed to perform a timely cesarean section, resulting in the baby’s decapitation and death.
The couple also claimed that the hospital staff attempted to discourage them from pursuing an autopsy and only learned about the decapitation after they had been discharged. The baby’s body and legs were removed during a subsequent C-section procedure, while the head was delivered vaginally.
The family’s attorney, Cory Lynch, described the emotional and mental anguish experienced by the parents, stating that their dreams of their first child’s birth turned into a nightmare that was covered up by Southern Regional Medical Center.
The Clayton County Police Department is no longer investigating the case, with the decision on potential charges against the delivering physician now in the hands of the district attorney’s office.
The Southern Regional Medical Center expressed condolences to the family and pledged support for the dedicated medical team involved in caring for the patient.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about the procedures and care provided during childbirth, highlighting the need for increased attention to patient safety in medical facilities.