Clayton County medical examiner calls for investigation into doctors in alleged baby decapitation

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office is calling for an investigation into the doctors and nurses involved in the alleged decapitation of a baby during childbirth.

Earlier this week, attorneys for Jessica Ross filed a lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center that alleged her baby was decapitated while she was giving birth last month.

The lawsuit alleges that after 10 hours of labor, the baby got stuck and that the family’s doctor, Dr. Tracey St. Julian, continued for hours to try to pull the baby out.

According to the lawsuit, doctors “pulled on the baby’s head and neck so hard and manipulated them so hard, that the bones in the baby’s skull, head and neck were broken.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Hours later, the lawsuit claims that doctors performed a C-section and found the baby decapitated. Instead of telling the couple, the lawsuit says doctors tried to cover up what happened by telling them they didn’t have the right to a free autopsy, encouraging cremation and concealing what happened when they asked to see the child.

Brian Byars, the director of the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed to Channel 2 Action News on Friday that they have requested the Georgia Composite Medical Board conduct an investigation into three doctors’ roles in the incident.

The Georgia Composite Medical Board said in a statement they are aware of an incident involving Dr. St. Julian, but that all complaints with them are confidential, so they cannot comment.

Byars also said they are in the process of asking for the Georgia Secretary of State Office Board of Nursing to investigate the nursing staff’s involvement as well.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Buc-ee’s: Love the mega-convenience store? Here’s where the new ones are being built
• Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms, heat advisory in north Georgia
• Inmate dies at Fulton County Jail, sheriff’s office says

On Thursday, officials with Southern Regional Medical Center issued a statement saying that “this unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation,” and said that the doctor who delivered the baby, Tracy St. Julian, is not “and never has been” an employee of the hospital.

“The hospital voluntarily reported the death to the Clayton County Medical Examiner’s office and is cooperating with all investigations,” officials with the hospital said.

The medical examiner’s office says in a statement that they were not aware of the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death until they were notified by Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Couple sues metro Atlanta hospital after they say doctor decapitated baby during birth

©2023 Cox Media Group