Giving birth is difficult in the best of conditions. Now imagine giving birth alone in jail. This traumatic event happened in Kelsey Love. After years of fighting, she finally won a settlement in court. Still, those responsible refuse to accept any blame. (1)
Woman Left To Give Birth Alone in Jail
At eight months pregnant, 32-year-old Kelsey Love was sent to the Franklin County Regional jail in Kentucky for driving under the influence on May 14, 2017. (2) She had also recently been using meth and heroin. Early in the morning on May 16, just two days later, Love knew that something wasn’t right. (1)
In incredible amounts of pain, she realized that she was in labor and that soon she would have her baby. Lying naked on the floor of her cell, she cried out for help. When a deputy arrived, she told him that she believed she was in labor. The deputy called a nurse but failed to mention anything Love said or that she might be experiencing contractions. (1)
The nurse said to monitor her for any changes. The deputy left, but no one returned despite her constant screams for someone to help her. Love ended up giving birth alone in jail. She had to chew off her own umbilical cord and rip a hole in her mattress to keep her and her baby warm. (2)
A nurse and jail staff member finally came to check on her three hours later at 8 am, where they found blood smeared across her cell and love curled up holding the newborn. (2) According to county regulations, she should have been checked on every 10 minutes. (1)
Read: This Image Shows Why Women Need Lots Of Time To Recover After Childbirth
The Incident Report
The incident report from the deputy’s first visit to Love’s cell mentioned nothing about how she could possibly be in labor, despite being eight months pregnant and in incredible pain. Instead of noticing she was giving birth alone in jail, the officer wrote that she was either experiencing withdrawal or was still intoxicated. (1)
“Despite her obvious condition, no defendant provided her medical care or attention,” Love’s lawsuit alleges. “Despite her obvious condition, no defendant requested that a medical professional provide Love medical care or attention.” (1)
The jail’s attorneys and the county have not taken any ownership or admitted wrong-doing, despite the evidence. They say there is no evidence to suggest staff knew she was in labor until afterward when they found her with the baby. (1)
The Settlement
Finally this year, Love’s attorneys and the county reached a settlement of $200,000, paid by the jail’s insurance company. They still claim no fault in the situation. (2)
Now sober for two years, Love’s attorneys say that she still experiences night terrors from the traumatic event. Despite this, she is doing quite well and is working hard to gain custody of her children. (2)
Keep Reading: Mom Who Ate Her Placenta With Chilli And Beef Burrito Says She Recovered From Birth Quicker
