A pregnant Texas teenager tragically passed away from sepsis after doctors refused to perform an abortion, even though she was experiencing a miscarriage.
Navaeh Crain, 18, visited the emergency room three times and had to wait 20 hours before being admitted. She had woken up on the day of her baby shower feeling nauseous and vomiting, which was later diagnosed as a severe infection.
However, she had to beg for medical help, with doctors insisting on two ultrasounds to confirm that her fetus had no heartbeat before they would take action.
Crain is one of at least two women who have died after doctors delayed treatment for miscarriages due to Texas’ strict abortion laws, according to a report by ProPublica. Experts told the publication that there was ‘no medical reason’ to make Crain wait for two ultrasounds before taking the necessary steps to save her.
They pointed out several missed opportunities, starting with the misdiagnosis of strep throat when she first arrived at the hospital. On her second visit to another hospital, Crain tested positive for sepsis. However, since her fetus still had a heartbeat, she was sent home.
The experts explained that if the sepsis had spread to Crain’s uterus, an abortion was likely needed to prevent further complications. Instead, she returned to her home in Vidor, despite being so weak that she could barely walk.
A few hours later, Crain became alarmed when she saw blood on her underwear while using the bathroom. She and her mother rushed back to Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital, accompanied by her boyfriend and the father of her fetus, Randall Broussard.
At this point, Crain was visibly weak, and her lips had lost all color. An ultrasound conducted by the obstetrician on duty, Dr. Marcelo Totorica, confirmed Crain’s worst fear: her fetus no longer had a heartbeat.
Crain had visited the ER three times and had to endure a 20-hour wait before being admitted, by which time her infection had worsened beyond recovery. Dr. Totorica ordered a second ultrasound, which again showed no fetal heartbeat.
‘She was bleeding,’ Crain’s grieving mother, Candace Fails, said. ‘Why didn’t they do anything to help it along instead of wait for another ultrasound to confirm the baby is dead?’ By this time, Crain was too weak to sign her own release form, and Fails had to complete the paperwork permitting doctors to perform the abortion.
This decision was made over two and a half hours after Crain was admitted, and more than 20 hours after she first sought medical help. Sadly, it was too late, and the doctors determined it was too dangerous to proceed with the procedure. Crain passed away in ‘extreme pain,’ with dark blood flowing from her nostrils and mouth.
Fails had to face the heartbreaking loss of not only her daughter but also her future granddaughter, whom the couple had named Lillian. ‘I know it sounds selfish, and God knows I would rather have both of them, but if I had to choose, I would have chosen my daughter,’ Fails said.
Texas’ abortion laws prohibit doctors from performing abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, unless the mother’s life is in danger. However, the ambiguous language in the legislation has caused some healthcare providers to delay treatment for fear of facing prosecution, fines, or losing their medical licenses—serious consequences for those who violate the law.
Women’s rights advocates argue that Crain’s death, along with other similar cases, highlights the dangerous impact of the law on mothers’ health. This comes after the case of another pregnant Texas woman, Josseli Barnica, who died in 2021 after doctors failed to offer proper care during her miscarriage at 17 weeks.
‘CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth believes that the care provided to this patient was at all times appropriate and compassionate,’ said a spokesperson. ‘However, due to HIPAA and privacy, we cannot comment further. Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth hospital for comment.’
