A grieving mother is suing a New York hospital after it allegedly “lost” the remains of her stillborn child.
Andrea Lewis gave birth to her stillborn son, Avery, three years ago - just 22 weeks into her pregnancy.
After being able to hold Avery for a while - and collect keepsakes including his footprints - Ms Lewis handed her son over for an autopsy.
But when she requested his body be given back for a burial, New York-Presbyterian hospital allegedly told her it was missing.
According to the New York Post, a judge has now ordered the hospital to finally disclose what happened to the baby’s body.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Lucy Billings told the hospital in a decision dated March 23 to make the disclosure within 20 days, adding that state law gives Ms Lewis the “right to immediate possession of her deceased child’s remains”.
“Due to defendant hospital’s negligence, carelessness . . . and violation of its own policies and procedures, [Ms Lewis] was deprived of the ability to cremate her deceased child,” her lawsuit says.
Judge Billings wrote in her ruling that if the hospital officials continue to refuse to disclose the information, Ms Lewis would automatically win her lawsuit.
She is suing for unspecified damages over “grievous mental anguish, suffering and sorrow.”
The hospital declined to comment when approached by the New York Post.
