A frightening delivery in an Indiana parking lot is intensifying national concern over racial disparities in maternal health. Mercedes Wells, a Black mother of four, was discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point just minutes before giving birth, according to the hospital’s leadership. Her daughter, Alena, was born in the front seat of the family’s truck as her husband raced to another facility after staff sent them away.
Her husband, Leon Wells, said there was “no kind of care, no type of empathy,” and no concern for his wife as her labor rapidly progressed. He said Mercedes repeatedly told staff, “I know I’m in active labor. I know I’m about to have this baby,” yet she was still discharged into near-freezing temperatures while pleading for help.
The hospital has since fired a doctor and nurse, apologized publicly, and announced mandatory cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff. Leadership acknowledged, “We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns,” noting she had previously given birth there with a positive experience.
The incident has sparked wider calls for reform, especially as national data show Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth-related causes than white women. Rep. Robin Kelly, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, said the case illustrates that “far too many women experience this trauma and pain,” calling the issue systemic and urgent.
For the Wells family, accountability is only part of the goal. “Everybody should be treated fairly,” Leon Wells said. “Everybody should be treated kind.”
See: “She was moments away from giving birth. The hospital discharged her” (November 23, 2025)
