Alena Wells could go into the world surrounded by her family and medical workers.
Instead, she was born Nov. 16 in the front seat of a Chevrolet Silverado as her father, Leon Wells, raced from one Indiana hospital to another.
Wells was leaving Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital, which he said had discharged his wife while she was in active labor. His mother-in-law filmed the exit in amazement.
Franciscan Health President and CEO Raymond Grady acknowledged that Alena's mother, Mercedes, was discharged minutes before giving birth. Grady said the doctor and nurse lost their jobs; the hospital publicly apologized; and Grady promised policy changes and cultural competency training for all obstetrics staff.
“There was no care, no compassion,” Leon Wells, 43, of Chicago suburb Daltontold USA TODAY Nov. 22. “No concern for my wife as a person.”
An Indiana hospital forced an Illinois family to leave the hospital minutes before mother Mercedes Wells gave birth to daughter Alena in the early morning hours of November 16, 2025.
Alena is the fourth child of Mercedes Wells. Her birth sparked advocacy about the various health implications for black women and babies.
“We did not listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns,” Grady said in a statement. Statement dated November 21. “As an experienced mother who has publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with positive experiences, she knew something was wrong.”
Lauri Keagle, a spokeswoman for Franciscan Health, declined further comment to USA TODAY.
Mom knew she was giving birth
The family arrived around midnight on November 16 while Leon Wells, who is an investor and has a pet sales business, was on a business trip. Alena was supposed to give birth on November 29, but Leon Wells was afraid to leave his pregnant wife, a housewife, alone, so he took her with him.
On the night of November 15, they learned that she had gone into labor. They found Franciscan, the nearest hospital. Her contractions became stronger and stronger as they drove to the Franciscan Hospital, founded in Catholic tradition. same village in Illinois as Pope Leo XIVlistened to gospel music. According to Leon Wells, contractions decreased from 30 minutes to 15, increasing as they moved.
Mercedes Wells called before arriving, but Leon Wells said there was a 10-minute wait before they were seen by medical staff as they were taken to the maternity ward's triage room, her husband said. About 15 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Mercedes Wells said her water broke while she was in the bathroom. The contractions continued to intensify. Leon Wells said the family never saw a doctor.
Leon Wells cannot understand how his wife was discharged at 6am without the hospital providing any public explanation.
He knows that Mercedes Wells had no doubt that she was in labor.
“My wife says: “No, I’m giving birth. This is my fourth child. I know I'm in active labor. I know I’m going to have this baby soon,” Leon Wells said.
Leon and Mercedes Wells were forcibly released from an Indiana hospital minutes before they gave birth to their daughter Alena (not pictured) on November 16, 2025, while driving down the road.
Forced to deliver to another location
They were met by security on the ground floor, Leon Wells said. Another video showed them rolling the Mercedes Wells outside, where the temperature was about 30 degrees, according to the local National Weather Service. They asked to wait inside while Leon Wells went to get his truck.
Leon Wells said his diesel truck takes time to warm up. Once he dropped her off in front of the hospital, they went to another hospital, Community Hospital, in Munster, Indiana.
“Of course I wanted to be upset, but I couldn’t,” Leon Wells said. “I know I had a big mission here, and I didn’t want my anger or my frustration to get in the way of my wife having a good birth.”
Six minutes into the ride, Leon Wells said his wife said she had to be pushed. He called 911, but they couldn't wait for an ambulance. She asked him to take off her pants while he was driving. He looked down and saw the head of their child.
Without gloves, he helped her pull the child out. Alena was born at 6:28 am. They had blankets to prepare for the birth, and the video shows Alena bundled up and looking pale.
They eventually made it to a public hospital where they spent two nights. The Wells family is home now.
Alena Wells was born at 6:28 a.m. on November 16, 2025, after her family was forcibly discharged from Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital in Indiana.
Striving to improve health outcomes for black mothers
The Wells family is seeking changes to hospital policies and procedures to prevent this from happening to another family.
“Everyone should be treated fairly,” Leon Wells said. “You should treat everyone kindly. And if you see something, say something.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of women die each year during childbirth or within weeks of giving birth. Black women are much more likely to die, with a maternal mortality rate three times higher than white women and other women, because USA TODAY reports..
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly answers a question Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at a town hall meeting at Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac.
Grady, president and CEO of Franciscan Hospital, said the hospital has mandated cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff. The doctor should also evaluate all pregnant patients before leaving the hospital, he said.
In the coming days, the Wells family will meet with Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., a local congresswoman. Kelly leads the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrustand she plans to introduce new legislation to prevent similar situations involving patient discharges.
“Too many women experience this trauma and pain, and some tragically die,” Kelly said in a statement. “Clearly this is a systemic problem and cannot continue like this.”
After his wife gave birth, Leon Wells recalled walking his wife with their baby pressed to her chest. On the way to the hospital he had five green traffic lights.
Later, he said, they found the name Alena. Its roots in Greek mean bright.
Eduardo Cuevas lives in New York. Contact him by email at [email protected] or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A pregnant woman was discharged from an Indiana hospital minutes before giving birth.
