HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - A Gibsonton couple says St. Joseph's Hospital lost the body of their newborn son who passed away.
They are suing the facility.
What You Need To Know
- Baby died in late February; body was returned to hospital on March 6
- Five days later, according to suit, hospital told couple it could not find the body
- BELOW: Statement from St. Joseph's Hospital
The accusations listed in a complaint obtained by Spectrum Bay News 9 are disturbing and raise questions about how the hospital manages a body after a person dies in the facility.
The six-page lawsuit filed July 9 states that Kathryn and Travis Wilson gave birth to their son Jacob on February 25. The infant died three days later.
After the infant’s body was returned to the hospital following an autopsy on March 6, the suit states hospital officials told the couple to start making funeral arrangements.
Five day later, according to the suit, hospital officials called the Wilson’s and said they could not find the infant’s body.
In an email to Spectrum Bay News 9, hospital officials said: “We deeply regret not being able to account for the remains. St. Joseph’s leadership and all personnel in our morgues are committed that this unforeseen situation will not happen again.”
The lawsuit states the couple is suffering physical and mental anguish over the incident, calling the hospital’s conduct “outrageous as to go beyond all bounds of decency and is regarded odious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.”
We’ve reached out to the couple’s attorney. So far they are not commenting beyond their statements in the complaint.
The couple is seeking monetary damages of more than $30,000. The hospital has filed a motion to dismiss the suit.