Two staff members at an Indiana hospital have been removed from their positions following allegations that they turned away a woman in active labor.
Franciscan Health Crown Point confirmed on Friday, Nov. 21, that both the physician and nurse involved in Mercedes Wells’ care are no longer employed at the facility. “The physician and the nurse directly involved with Mrs. Wells’ care are no longer employed by Franciscan,” said Raymond Grady, President and CEO of Franciscan Health Crown Point, in a statement.
The incident occurred on Nov. 16, when Wells and her husband, Leon, arrived at the hospital after calling a day earlier to notify staff of her impending labor. According to ABC affiliate WLS, hospital staff allegedly instructed Wells to return home and wait until her labor progressed further.
Cell phone video footage later showed Wells, a mother of four, in visible distress, breathing heavily in a wheelchair inside the hospital before security escorted her out. In an interview with CBS News Chicago, Wells described her experience: “I was met with really stern faces. No welcoming faces as I usually would get when I go to a hospital, or a place of care.” She added that despite being in “excruciating pain” and “agony,” the nurse who evaluated her claimed she was not far enough along to be admitted.
Tragically, Wells gave birth just eight minutes later in her husband’s car on the side of the road, welcoming her daughter, Alena, into the world.
“The video was difficult to watch,” Grady said, emphasizing that it “does not reflect the values of Franciscan Health Crown Point, which include respect for life and compassionate concern.” He added, “Compassionate concern is absent when a caregiver fails to listen to a patient who is clearly in pain and vulnerable. We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns. As an experienced mother who publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with a positive experience, she knew something was not right.”
Following the incident, the Wells family retained legal counsel, alleging that their treatment was influenced by racial bias, as reported by Fox affiliate WFLD.
In response, Grady announced a series of measures aimed at preventing similar incidents. Beyond terminating the physician and nurse involved, he mandated cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff and required that all pregnant patients leaving the Labor and Delivery unit be examined by a physician before leaving the hospital.
“On behalf of Franciscan Alliance and Franciscan Health Crown Point, I apologize to Mrs. Wells and her family for failing to live up to our Franciscan values,” Grady said. “We are committed to holding ourselves accountable through our actions so that every patient is heard and receives compassionate, equitable care. Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.”
Grady also confirmed that he has reached out to the Wells family and hopes to meet with them soon. After delivering Alena in the car, Wells was transported to Community Hospital in Munster for further medical care, CBS News reported.
This incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of hospital protocols and staff training, highlighting the urgent need for compassionate, equitable care in maternity wards nationwide.
