An intensive care worker fatally broke a newborn’s neck: a complaint

The parents of a premature baby are suing a Florida hospital, alleging in the complaint that their newborn baby suffered a fatal spinal cord injury at the hands of a worker.

In June 2022, Gianna Lauper and Jahmiah Pitts welcomed their daughter, Jaxie Pitts in Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Children. The baby was born by emergency caesarean section at 24 weeks’ gestation, was immediately intubated and admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

At the time, “there was no evidence of any birth trauma,” according to A complaint filed by parents October 17.

However, about two weeks later, an MRI showed that Jaxy’s neck was broken. She reportedly suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed and unable to breathe on her own, court documents state.

“This type of spinal cord injury could not have occurred without the use of excessive force when handling the newborn,” the complaint states. “There is no record in the medical record of an excessive force event that caused this traumatic injury, and there is no indication in the medical record that an investigation was conducted to identify and prosecute the person who caused this devastating injury.”

“Furthermore, there is no evidence that the police were notified that someone who had access to Orlando Health’s NICU had broken Jaxy’s neck.”

Court documents also allege that after Jahxy was injured, a hospital worker “returned her to the incubator without telling anyone.”

According to the complaint, Jaxy allegedly died a few months later in November 2022 as a result of the traumatic injury.

Because her broken neck was “either unrecognized or unreported,” the complaint alleges, it appears “an attempt was made to conceal the cause of Jahxy’s injury.”

A hospital representative tells PEOPLE in a statement that they “will not publicly address specific medical cases, but will say that caring for premature babies is a difficult and emotional job for parents, doctors and nurses.”

“We extend our deepest sympathies to this family and to any family who suffers the loss of a child, but also believe that those who provide care in this environment should be judged on facts, not assumptions.” said further in the statement. “We look forward to discussing the facts of this case in the appropriate forum.”

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During a press conference On Oct. 21, Pitts spoke about the short time he spent with his daughter, calling her a “fighter.” Lopera also stressed that she and Pitts “deserve answers” and “want justice for Jaxy.”

“We are heartbroken because we couldn’t protect ourselves from Winnie Palmer Hospital. The place where she should have been the safest,” she said through tears. “Every parent whose child was born to Winnie Palmer deserves to know what happened to Jaxy. By covering it up, they’re leaving room for it to happen again,” she continued.

“I never got a chance to hear my daughter cry,” Lopera continued. – She never had a chance to meet her siblings or family. We never celebrated any important date. We only held her four times in her entire life.”

The parents are now seeking damages and a jury trial.