In a bizarre incident, a woman gave birth on the side of the road after she was discharged from a hospital in Indiana while in active labor, according to her family. The mother, identified as Mercedes Wells, was allegedly discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital on Sunday (November 16, 2025).
She was discharged from the hospital after being told by the staff to go home and wait for her labor to progress, as reported by ABC affiliate WLS. Mercedes gave birth on the side of the road just eight minutes after leaving the hospital, while she and her husband were on their way to another hospital.
The incident drew widespread attention after multiple videos went viral showing the woman being discharged from the hospital while in labor and after she had given birth.
The mom and her husband, Leon, called the hospital before their arrival on Saturday, Nov. 15, but claimed she was ignored before being sent home the following day, according to Fox affiliate WFLD.
Newborn’s uncle shares her photo on Facebook
According to a Facebook post shared by her uncle, Lance D. Thompson Jr, Alena Ariel Wells was born at 6 lbs. and 18.5 inches long. He is one of many family members who called out Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital. He emphasized that Mercedes was “wrongfully discharged” before giving birth.
What did the newborn’s mom, Mercedes, say?
In a Facebook post shared by her sister-in-law, Cherise Thompson, Mercedes claimed that she was told to go home because a nurse did not believe she was in active labor. At one point, she claimed, her contractions were just one minute apart. “I begged to STAY while still upstairs in Labor and delivery Triage,” Mercedes recalled, but suggested she did not receive any empathy from the nursing staff. She later added, “I was treated SO poorly and inhumane. I still cant believe it.”
After giving birth on the roadside, Mercedes finally reached Munster Community Hospital, where she received care, according to WLS. WFLD reported that the Wells family has since retained a lawyer, alleging that they were treated unfairly because of their race.
"I want there to be some sort of change so that other families don't have to experience this," Cherise told WLS. "If it implements change, implements strength, implements courage for other women that's going through this, then that's what I'm looking for, personally," Lance further stated.
Franciscan Health Crown Point responds
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady said the hospital is investigating the alleged incident. The CEO dubbed the video and its comments “deeply troubling.”
“We are aware of the video and the concerns expressed on social media regarding the discharge of a pregnant patient from Franciscan Health Crown Point,” Grady said. “We are grateful to learn from online and media reports that both mother and child are reportedly doing well.”
The CEO also said, “While patient privacy laws make it difficult for us to comment more deeply, it is important to note that the videos and the narrative surrounding them do not accurately represent Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Catholic healthcare ministry’s values, which include respect for life, compassionate concern, and Christian stewardship. Our goal is to make everyone who walks through our doors feel the love of Christ through our actions.”
He continued, “The reality is disparities in healthcare outcomes exist, and Franciscan Health Crown Point strives to be part of the solution, not the problem. We remain committed to meeting and exceeding all regulations and best practices for care, and we will take appropriate action based on the findings of our review."
She was discharged from the hospital after being told by the staff to go home and wait for her labor to progress, as reported by ABC affiliate WLS. Mercedes gave birth on the side of the road just eight minutes after leaving the hospital, while she and her husband were on their way to another hospital.
The incident drew widespread attention after multiple videos went viral showing the woman being discharged from the hospital while in labor and after she had given birth.
The mom and her husband, Leon, called the hospital before their arrival on Saturday, Nov. 15, but claimed she was ignored before being sent home the following day, according to Fox affiliate WFLD.
Newborn’s uncle shares her photo on Facebook
According to a Facebook post shared by her uncle, Lance D. Thompson Jr, Alena Ariel Wells was born at 6 lbs. and 18.5 inches long. He is one of many family members who called out Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital. He emphasized that Mercedes was “wrongfully discharged” before giving birth.
What did the newborn’s mom, Mercedes, say?
In a Facebook post shared by her sister-in-law, Cherise Thompson, Mercedes claimed that she was told to go home because a nurse did not believe she was in active labor. At one point, she claimed, her contractions were just one minute apart. “I begged to STAY while still upstairs in Labor and delivery Triage,” Mercedes recalled, but suggested she did not receive any empathy from the nursing staff. She later added, “I was treated SO poorly and inhumane. I still cant believe it.”
After giving birth on the roadside, Mercedes finally reached Munster Community Hospital, where she received care, according to WLS. WFLD reported that the Wells family has since retained a lawyer, alleging that they were treated unfairly because of their race.
"I want there to be some sort of change so that other families don't have to experience this," Cherise told WLS. "If it implements change, implements strength, implements courage for other women that's going through this, then that's what I'm looking for, personally," Lance further stated.
Franciscan Health Crown Point responds
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady said the hospital is investigating the alleged incident. The CEO dubbed the video and its comments “deeply troubling.”
“We are aware of the video and the concerns expressed on social media regarding the discharge of a pregnant patient from Franciscan Health Crown Point,” Grady said. “We are grateful to learn from online and media reports that both mother and child are reportedly doing well.”
The CEO also said, “While patient privacy laws make it difficult for us to comment more deeply, it is important to note that the videos and the narrative surrounding them do not accurately represent Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Catholic healthcare ministry’s values, which include respect for life, compassionate concern, and Christian stewardship. Our goal is to make everyone who walks through our doors feel the love of Christ through our actions.”
He continued, “The reality is disparities in healthcare outcomes exist, and Franciscan Health Crown Point strives to be part of the solution, not the problem. We remain committed to meeting and exceeding all regulations and best practices for care, and we will take appropriate action based on the findings of our review."
