A pregnant woman says she was turned away from Franciscan Health Crown Point in Crown Point, Indiana, despite being in active labor — and gave birth in her husband’s car only minutes later. The incident is prompting leadership changes at the hospital and renewed questions about maternal care and equity.
According to multiple reports, on Nov. 16, 2025, 38-year-old Mercedes Wells arrived at the hospital after calling ahead, experiencing regular contractions and believing she was in labor. Her family says she spent several hours in the facility but was discharged when staff told her she was “not far enough along” despite her water breaking and intense pain.
Eight minutes after leaving the hospital, Wells gave birth to her daughter, Alena, in her husband’s pickup truck on the highway.
In a statement, hospital President and CEO Raymond Grady acknowledged the video of the incident “does not reflect the values of Franciscan Health Crown Point, which include respect for life and compassionate concern.”
“Respect for life can be compromised when a mother and baby are prematurely discharged. Thankfully, both mother and baby are reportedly doing well and everyone should celebrate the new addition to this family,” Grady said. “We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns. As an experienced mother who publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with a positive experience, she knew something was not right.”
Hospital leadership said they reviewed the care Wells received and implemented several corrective steps. The physician and nurse who handled her case have been removed from their positions. The hospital is also requiring all labor and delivery staff to complete cultural competency training.
Hospital officials confirmed the physician and nurse involved have been terminated and new protocols have been put in place requiring physician-clearance before any pregnant patient is discharged from the labor and delivery unit.
In the statement, Grady also said they have reached out to Wells and her family and “hope to meet in person with them very soon.”
The family of Wells has retained legal counsel and alleges racial bias may have been a factor in how she was treated.
As of now, both mother and baby are reported to be doing well. The incident remains under review as local and national news outlets continue to highlight how maternal care failures affect outcomes, especially for Black women.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
