An Indiana family says a mother was forced to give birth on the side of a road after being discharged from a local hospital while in active labor. According to relatives who spoke with ABC affiliate WLS in Chicago, Mercedes Wells was released from Franciscan Health Crown Point on Sunday after staff advised her to return home until her labor progressed. Just eight minutes later, Wells delivered her baby in a truck with her husband assisting.
Wells’ sister-in-law, Cherise Thompson, told WLS that Wells repeatedly pleaded with a nurse, insisting she was experiencing strong contractions and active labor. Thompson said the nurse did not respond to those concerns. Wells’ husband ultimately delivered the baby using a blanket before driving the family to a second facility, Munster Community Hospital.
Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady said in a statement to ABC News that the hospital is reviewing the situation. He noted that privacy rules limit what the hospital can say but emphasized that the circulating videos and claims do not reflect the institution’s values or commitment to compassionate care. The hospital’s website states that its team provides personalized birthing services and works with patients to create tailored birth plans.
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