Family Demands Justice After Woman Gives Birth in Truck Minutes After Being Discharged From Crown Point Hospital
CROWN POINT — A Northwest Indiana family is calling for accountability after they say a pregnant woman was wrongfully removed from Franciscan Health Crown Point while she was in active labor—only to give birth eight minutes later in the family’s truck without medical assistance.
According to the family, hospital staff refused to admit the woman early Sunday morning, insisting she “wasn’t past 3 centimeters” and could not be admitted. Video shared with Region News Source appears to show workers wheeling the woman out of the hospital as she struggled through intense contractions.
Moments after leaving, the family says the situation turned critical.
While en route to Community Hospital in Munster, the woman gave birth roadside inside their truck—without doctors, nurses, or emergency personnel. The family arrived at Community just before 7 a.m., but the baby had already been delivered.
The woman’s sister-in-law posted a detailed account online, saying her family experienced something “no family should ever experience.”
“This morning my family went through something no family should ever experience. At 6:20 AM, my sister-in-law was kicked out of Franciscan Health Crown Point while she was in active labor. She begged the staff not to discharge her. She was told, You haven’t progressed past 3 centimeters,’ and was forced to leave despite being in clear pain and distress.
Eight minutes later, at 6:28 AM, she gave birth on the side of the road. My brother had to deliver his own baby in their truck. On the highway. Without any medical help. They rushed to Community Hospital in Munster and arrived at 6:53 AM, after the baby had already been delivered.
We are devastated, angry, and shaken to our core. This was preventable. This was negligent. And yes, we believe racial bias played a role in how she was dismissed and ignored. This should never happen to any woman or any family. We are seeking justice and accountability.”
The family says they believe the outcome could have been avoided had staff taken the woman’s pain and condition seriously. They also allege racial bias influenced how she was treated and dismissed.
In response to the allegations, Franciscan Health provided a brief statement:
“The health and safety of our patients is always our top priority. We have launched an internal investigation into the alleged incident. Due to patient privacy laws and our own policies pertaining to internal investigations, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
The family says they plan to pursue justice and ensure no other mother is placed in a similar situation. Region News Source will continue to follow this developing story as more details become available.
