Mercedes Wells, the Indiana mother whose harrowing roadside delivery went viral after a hospital dismissed her pain and sent her home while she was in active labor, is back in the hospital with serious post-birth complications, her family says.
Wells, who delivered her daughter Alena Ariel on Nov. 16 just eight minutes after leaving Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital, is now being treated for what relatives describe as trauma-related medical issues that emerged days after the birth.
A Birth No Mother Should Have to Experience
According to family members, Wells had repeatedly told hospital staff she was in active labor, but a nurse insisted she wasn’t ready and discharged her. In a Facebook post, Wells’ sister-in-law, Cherise Thompson, said Mercedes had no choice but to leave.
Minutes later, on the side of the road in the cold November air, Mercedes delivered her baby with her husband, Leon, frantically calling 911.
Videos documenting the ordeal—both her discharge and the roadside birth—spread rapidly online, prompting widespread outrage and questions about how a mother in obvious distress could be allowed to leave a hospital.
Hospitalized Again After Hemorrhaging and Acute Pain
Wells’ brother-in-law, Lance Thompson Jr., told The Chicago Sun-Times that she is now hospitalized at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana, where she was treated immediately after the roadside birth. He said she is facing ongoing health issues tied to the traumatic delivery.
Her husband said Mercedes was first taken to UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital on Nov. 23 after she began experiencing excruciating pain and significant hemorrhaging. Staff later transferred her to Community Hospital once they realized who she was, Lance said.
Doctors told the family she is dealing with trauma from the difficult birth. While she is being medicated, physicians are administering lower doses to allow her to continue breastfeeding her newborn.
Hospital Fires Staff Involved in Her Dismissal
Following the viral videos and public backlash, Franciscan Health Crown Point conducted an internal investigation. On Nov. 21, the hospital announced that both the physician and nurse involved in Wells’ discharge “are no longer employed” there.
“The video shared on social media does not reflect our values,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady. “Compassionate concern is absent when a caregiver fails to listen to a patient who is clearly in pain and vulnerable.”
Wells told CNN she never even met the doctor who signed off on her discharge.
A Case Fueling Calls for Maternal Health Reform
Wells’ experience is raising bitterly familiar questions about disparities in maternal health—especially for Black women, whose concerns are disproportionately dismissed within the healthcare system.
On Nov. 25, Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly announced new legislation crafted in collaboration with Wells: the Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety (WELLS) Act. The bill would require hospitals and birthing centers nationwide to implement safe discharge protocols to ensure that mothers in labor are not prematurely sent home.
“Mercedes told the nurse she was in active labor,” Kelly said. “But far too often, Black women’s pain is ignored, dismissed, and discharged. This cannot continue.”
Kelly plans to introduce the WELLS Act when Congress reconvenes after Thanksgiving.
A Family Waiting, Healing, and Hoping
As Mercedes continues to recover in the hospital, her family says they are focused on her healing—and on the hope that what happened to her will lead to lasting reform.
Her story has already sparked national conversation about maternal care, patient dignity, and the real-world consequences when mothers are not believed.
