Two grieving parents have launched a lawsuit against a Florida hospital over the death of their newborn daughter.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers will find distressing.
In June of 2022, Gianna Lopera and Jahmiah Peets welcomed their daughter at just 24 weeks following an emergency cesarean section.
Their baby girl, named Jahxy Peets, was welcomed into the world at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, PEOPLE reports.
Immediately after the c-section, Jahxy was intubated and admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
A lawsuit launched by the parents states that “there was no evidence of any birth-related trauma”.
However, at around two weeks old, an MRI revealed that Jahxy’s neck had been broken. The baby had suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own, per court documents.
“This type of spinal cord injury could not occur without the use of excessive force when handling a newborn,” the lawsuit states.
Jahxy died of her injuries in November 2022, per the complaint.
“There is no note in the medical record documenting the excessive-force event which caused this traumatic injury, and no indication in the medical record that an investigation was performed to identify and bring to justice the individual who caused this devastating injury,” the lawsuit adds.
Additionally, the parents claim that there is no evidence that law enforcement were ever notified “that an individual with access to the Orlando Health NICU had broken Jahxy’s neck.”
Per ABC News, the lawsuit alleges a hospital worker broke Jahxy’s neck “and then put her back in the incubator without notifying anyone”.
Due to the neck injury never being “recognized or reported”, the lawsuit also alleges that the hospital attempted “to cover up the cause of Jahxy’s injury”.
During a press conference in October, dad Jahmiah spoke about the short amount of time the parents had spent with their daughter, describing her as a “fighter”.
Mom Gianna also demanded answers and “justice for Jahxy”, adding: “Our heart is broken because we could not protect ourselves from Winnie Palmer Hospital. The place where she was supposed to be the safest.”
“Every parent whose baby is born at Winnie Palmer deserves to know what happened to Jahxy. By covering it up, they are leaving room for it to happen again,” she added.
Through tears, the heartbroken mom said: “I never got a chance to hear my daughter cry.
“She never got a chance to meet her siblings or her family. We never celebrated a single milestone.
“We only held her four times in her entire life.”
The family of Jahxy “Jazzy” Peets claims a healthcare provider within the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies broke the baby’s neck, killing her. https://t.co/DWo8YoGrXw
— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) October 22, 2024
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies said that although they will not be addressing “specific medical cases publicly”, they highlighted that “the delivery of care to extremely premature babies is complex and emotional work for parents, doctors, and nurses”
The statement went on to offer condolences for the grieving family, saying: “We offer our deepest sympathies to this family, and to any family who suffers the loss of a child, but also believe those who provide care in this environment should be judged on facts, not speculation.
“We look forward to discussing the facts of this case in the appropriate forum.”
In a statement shared to Facebook last week, Jahxy’s mom wrote: “We will get justice for you babygirl. I may had never gotten the chance to hear your cry or see you grow up but you will always have my heart. Your death will no longer be a secret and everyone will know what happen to you my love.”
Jahxy’s parents are now seeking compensation for damages and requesting a jury trial.
Our thoughts go out to Jahxy’s parents and anybody impacted by this tragic story.
