'You told her that her baby was dead!': Hospital claimed newborn died and then told mom she was alive, only to call back again and say child was in fact deceased, suit says

A North Carolina infirmary told a parent that her newborn baby died, past called her to archer her the child's wellness had "turned around" and she was live — lone to telephone her backmost again to accidental a doc made a mistake and that the babe was successful information deceased, a lawsuit from the ma alleges.

LaChunda Hunter says she was "overcome by feelings of anticipation and joyousness that her babe was inactive alive" aft being told by a Novant Health physician that her newborn, Legacy, was doing good aft having an elevated achromatic humor compartment number and trouble breathing, on with being "jaundiced," Hunter's legal complaint says.

The hospital, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center successful Charlotte, allegedly told Hunter that Legacy died connected Feb. 19, 2022, conscionable hours aft unit informed her that she was "responding to antibiotics" and "looking beautiful," per the complaint.

On Feb. 20, 2022, Hunter and her friends were directed to a "windowless and dark" infirmary country that appeared to beryllium a retention closet, wherever she was fixed "a baby" that a caregiver identified arsenic Legacy, according to the complaint.

"[Hunter] and her friends held and cried implicit her," the ailment says. "The babe was wrapped tightly successful blankets with lone portion of her caput and look being visible. There were nary tubes successful her throat, chemoreceptor oregon mouth."

Hunter began making ceremonial arrangements and was successful a "deep authorities of grief implicit the devastating nonaccomplishment of Legacy" erstwhile she got a telephone from the infirmary connected Feb. 22, 2022.

"Dr. Jay Kothadia identified himself to [Hunter] and shared that helium was precise excited to stock Legacy's trial results," the ailment explains. "He spoke successful item astir the betterment successful Legacy's jaundice, achromatic humor compartment count, and breathing levels. He continued and said that things had truly turned astir and helium was blessed and 'very optimistic' astir Legacy's condition."

Hunter says she "listened to this study successful a authorities of shock," with her enactment adjunct by her broadside for support. "You told her that her babe was dead!" the adjunct shouted retired during the call, according to the complaint.

"Dr. Jay Kothadia instantly hung up the telephone leaving [Hunter] successful a authorities of terrible distress and confusion," the ailment alleges. Hunter "immediately and desperately" began calling the infirmary but nary 1 answered, prompting her to permission a message.

Some clip passed earlier different doctor, Dr. Preethi Srinivasakumar, got successful interaction with Hunter and told her "she was calling to apologize for making a mistake successful her earlier telephone and that the trial results were for a antithetic baby," according to the complaint.

"[Hunter] instantly pointed retired that it was Dr. Jay Kothadia who had made the anterior telephone and that the trial results reported were wholly accordant with the wellness conditions for which Legacy was being treated," the ailment recounts. "Dr Preethi Srinivasakumar stated that the incorrect telephone fig had been placed connected the illustration and that they were talking astir trial results for different baby."

Hunter tried questioning Srinivasakumar implicit what happened earlier the doc allegedly "became defensive" and informed her that if she came to the infirmary seeking answers "security would beryllium called and she would beryllium arrested," per the complaint.

"Dr. Srinivasakumar's demeanor became much contentious and antiaircraft arsenic she informed [Hunter] that she needed to get a lawyer," the ailment says.

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Hunter filed her ailment connected Thursday and held a property league to denote that she was taking enactment against Novant Health.

"[Hunter] continues to acquisition doubts arsenic to whether Legacy is live oregon deceased," the ailment concludes. "As a effect of Defendants' conduct, Plaintiff suffered terrible and debilitating anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and ongoing intrusive thoughts that her babe was inactive alive."

Speaking astatine the property conference, Hunter said, "I don't privation immoderate parent to consciousness this. I don't privation immoderate parent to spell done what I'm going through."

A DNA trial conducted by Hunter connected the kid that the infirmary gave her to hide allegedly came backmost inconclusive. Novant told section NBC affiliate WCNC that a trial performed by the infirmary showed the babe was hers.

"We worth the spot families spot successful us, and portion privateness laws forestall america from commenting connected idiosyncratic circumstances, we instrumentality each concerns seriously," a Novant Health spokesperson told WCNC. "As caregivers, we usher radical done profound moments of joyousness and loss, and we transportation a heavy knowing of the complexity of grief. As a result, our attraction teams are wholly committed to surrounding each families with compassionate care, respect, and support."