Franciscan Health Crown Point Fires Doctor and Nurse After Pregnant Woman Denied Admission, Forced to Give Birth on Roadside Minutes Later [VIDEO]

A doctor and nurse at Franciscan Health Crown Point have been fired after denying admission to a pregnant woman who was visibly in labor—only for her to give birth on the side of the road eight minutes later.

According to hospital President and CEO Raymond Grady, the hospital “listened” to public concerns and made the decision to terminate the two staff members directly involved in the patient’s care.

The patient, Mercedes Sheri Wells, 38, of Chicago, was visiting family in Indiana when she suddenly went into labor two weeks early. Despite arriving at the hospital in pain and clearly in active labor, Wells says she was repeatedly dismissed and told she “was not far enough along.”

Six Hours in the Lobby Before Being Sent Home

Wells reported that after calling ahead, she arrived expecting to be taken to labor and delivery. Instead, she was left in the lobby for nearly six hours, despite contractions eventually coming just one minute apart. She says she pleaded for help but was ultimately discharged without ever being examined by a physician.

Just eight minutes after leaving the hospital, while en route to another facility in Munster, Indiana, Wells gave birth on the roadside. Her husband, Leon Wells, delivered their daughter, Alena, who is reported to be doing well.

Hospital Responds After Video Sparks Outrage

CEO Grady issued a statement acknowledging the hospital failed to uphold its values of “respect for life and compassionate concern.” He stated that the video circulating online was “difficult to watch” and did not reflect the standards of care the hospital expects.

The hospital announced several immediate reforms, including:

• Mandatory cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff

• A new rule requiring every pregnant patient to be evaluated by a physician before being discharged

Family Demands Accountability

At a news conference on Tuesday, the Wells family called for full accountability.
“I just don’t understand how, as a licensed health care worker, you could turn someone away who is in excruciating pain,” Wells said. “I was stripped of my dignity as a person because I was treated less than an animal.”

Wells’ attorney, Cannon Lambert, noted that Wells was sent away on supposed doctor’s orders—even though she was never seen by a doctor.
“Can we agree that a woman in active labor should not be sent away without first being seen by a doctor?” Lambert said, according to WTTW.

Lambert also questioned why it took nearly a week for the hospital to fire the staff involved, saying, “Reacting to public outcry is not accountability.” He added that any staff who witnessed the situation and did not intervene should also face consequences.

Broader Conversation on Medical Racism

The incident sparked renewed discussions about medical racism and disparities in maternal care for Black women in the United States. It came just days after another pregnant Black woman in Texas experienced delays in receiving medical attention.