Summerlin Hospital took away baby Lilia because mom wanted to take the baby home to get over a common case of new born mild jaundice.
Las Vegas police threatened to arrest Cecilia Rogers only hours after giving birth. Her husband Lincoln Rogers was also threatened with arrest.
The couple tried to take their newborn baby Lilia home from Summerlin Hospital against the will of a nurse. The nurse called Child Protective Services, who in turn called the police.
“They said, ‘Well, if you leave the hospital I’ll have to arrest you and your husband.’”
Lilia had a mild case of jaundice, a common new born condition. The nurse believed the baby should be put in NICU and be treated overnight until the jaundice cleared up.
When the couple tried to take the baby home to get over the jaundice by natural means, the trouble began.
“We just really wanted to take the natural approach if we could,” Cecilia explains.
Another pediatrician from the hospital agreed with the Rogers decision saying that a mild case of new born jaundice was not critical. He said the infant could go home if the Rogers signed a medical release.
Protesters gather in support of the Rogers decision. They say the hospital should lay out all the options.
Local families, many of whom are also new parents, gathered at the hospital in support of the Rogers decision. They felt that the hospital should make known what the options are instead of trying to force the parents down one path.
“I feel that – especially new parents – we need to know what our rights are and when they’re being overstepped,” says Wyndee Forrest.
Baby Lilia’s dad, Lincoln, said, “It took one nurse to make one horrible decision and a domino effect to happen like that. It’s just been so unfortunate.”
Meanwhile, baby Lilia is at home and doing fine.
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