A Georgia jury awarded $2.25 million to grieving parents Jessica Ross and Traveon Taylor Sr. after a pathologist posted graphic autopsy footage of their newborn—who was decapitated during childbirth—on Instagram without the family’s consent.
At a Glance
- $2M in compensatory damages + $250K in punitive damages awarded to the family
- Pathologist Dr. Jackson Gates posted autopsy footage of the infant on Instagram
- Baby’s death was ruled a homicide following botched delivery
- Family is still suing Southern Regional Medical Center and the obstetrician for negligence
- The case raises new alarms over medical privacy and social media abuse
What Happened
According to AP News, the tragic death occurred in July 2023 when the baby, Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr., suffered shoulder dystocia during birth. The delivery team failed to perform a timely C-section, resulting in the infant being decapitated.
Shockingly, as People reports, Dr. Gates later posted graphic video from the autopsy footage that the parents never authorized to be shared. Gates claimed the video was intended for educational purposes, but the jury found him liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and fraud.
Why It Matters
The case underscores growing concerns about medical privacy in the social media era. “We never gave permission,” the parents testified. “We were devastated to learn our son’s images were online.”
The baby’s death had already been classified as a homicide by the Clayton County Medical Examiner, who cited excessive force during delivery—a fact Southern Regional Medical Center allegedly tried to conceal from the parents until funeral home staff informed them.
What’s Next
While this verdict holds the pathologist accountable, the family is continuing its lawsuit against the hospital and the delivering OB-GYN, Dr. Tracey St. Julian, for alleged medical negligence.
Legal experts say this case sends a powerful message: that even in an age of “viral” content, medical ethics and patient privacy must remain sacrosanct.
In the words of the parents’ attorney: “This was a violation not just of law—but of human dignity.” The courtroom battle may be far from over.
