Overview
- Mercedes Wells says she was discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point while three centimeters dilated after hours of monitored contractions.
- Within eight minutes of leaving the facility, she delivered daughter Alena in the family vehicle, according to her relatives.
- 911 dispatchers directed the family to Community Hospital in Munster, where staff awaited their arrival and provided care.
- Franciscan Health says patient safety is its priority and that it has opened an internal investigation, citing privacy rules for declining further comment.
- The Wells family alleges race influenced the decision to discharge and has hired attorney Cannon Lambert as mother and baby recover.