A Doctor Advises the Mother whose Baby was Prematurely Born While She Was Alone in an Ellis County, Texas, Jail Cell the Infant’s Survival Chances are 1% to 2%
Shaye Bear prematurely gave birth while alone in an Ellis County, Texas, jail cell on May 17, 2018. She claims that her cries and pleas for help were denied before her son, Cashh, was born and that she was dehumanized, berated, and mocked before and after the birth. A guard had allegedly informed her that no actions would be taken to provide her with assistance until she had her baby with her in her solitary cell, and that is what allegedly happened. Bear had been in jail on $5,000 bond; and since her story, came out, someone paid bail for her. Her joy upon release was short-lived because a doctor called and told her that her son’s condition is critical. He said that the child, who weighed just over one pound at birth, has only a 1% to 2% chance of survival and that he will have profound brain damage, if he survives. Cashh is at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in the intensive care unit, where he was flown by medical helicopter after initially being taken to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie.
Not only did Bear say that she reported being in pain for two days before going into labor, but other prisoners allegedly reported anonymously, for fear of retaliation, that they heard her screams of pain for two nights prior to the birth and that it kept them from being able to sleep.
Bear had the opportunity to make pleas to a judge on the day Cashh was born. She allegedly said that she believed she needed to go to an emergency room because she was in pain and thought she was prematurely in labor. Her request was denied. Reportedly, the District Attorney was concerned about the mother’s alleged prior drug use.
The infant’s mother and grandmother were interviewed, and they expressed their devastation and that Cashh’s story is something that should happen to no one. They hope it never happens again to anyone.
The Texas Rangers are investigating Bear’s claims and who should be held responsible for substantiated allegations. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards will likely conduct an investigation, as well, to determine whether minimum jail standards were upheld at the time of the circumstances alleged by Bear. The only statement from Ellis County that has been released simply stated that Bear had received medical care throughout her stay at the jail.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
–Guest Contributor
smchugh
smchugh