U.S. woman who gave birth in car after being discharged meets with hospital; father speaks out

Leon and Mercedes Wells are determined to make changes at Franciscan Health in Crown Point. That's where the couple says Mercedes was discharged from the hospital while in active labor. (WLS via CNN Newsource)

CHICAGO (WLS) - Conversations were held Thursday between an Indiana hospital and the pregnant woman turned away moments before she gave birth.

Mercedes Wells gave birth to her daughter in her car, after she was told she wasn’t far enough along in the birthing process to be admitted.

The family is now talking with hospital representatives about how to move forward. ABC7 Chicago spoke with the baby’s father Thursday night.

The Wells family says while they are hopeful for the talks to come. Their Chicago-based attorney says there was “disconnect over what happened and what should be done.”

Leon and Mercedes Wells are determined to make changes at Franciscan Health in Crown Point. That’s where the couple says Mercedes was discharged from the hospital while in active labor.

Minutes later, Leon delivered their daughter Alena on the side of the road.

“I put my fingers around my baby’s head, and as my wife pushed, I pulled,” Leon said. “This is while I still in driver’s seat.”

The couple and their attorney had their first meeting with Franciscan Health hospital administrators on Thursday.

“My wife wasn’t heard when this first situation happened, and I’m not too sure she’s heard now,” Leon said.

Franciscan Health Crown Point say they’ve since fired the physician and nurse directly involved with Mercedes’ care and made changes, including mandated cultural competency training for labor and delivery staff.

President and CEO Raymond Grady said in a statement, in part, “After spending time with the Wells family, I am even more confident that we share the same goals, to ensure every patient is heard and receives compassionate, equitable care.”

However, the family’s attorney, Cannon Lambert Sr., says more needs to be done, including adding implicit bias training and firing the two nurses seen here wheeling Mercedes after the couple says she pleaded for them to admit her.

“When you see something, you should say something, They didn’t.” Lambert Sr. said.

The family’s attorney says the couple has not filed a lawsuit against the hospital, but depending on how the talks continue, that is an option. Their bottom line is to make sure no mother has to endure what Mercedes did.

“For them to see this and not say anything about it. It’s really hurtful,” Leon said.

By Cate Cauguiran.