A woman in the Montgomery County Jail on Sunday afternoon gave birth alone in her cell — despite staff providing medical attention less than 90 minutes earlier.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the birth occurred on Aug. 27 — after a medical check. It’s unclear if the sheriff’s department, as well as on-site medical staff, were aware of the woman’s pregnancy.
It is known, though, that the woman sought medical attention, according to the sheriff’s office. She was then left to be monitored by deputies. Less than 90 minutes later, she gave birth.
The status of the woman, as well as the newborn, are unknown as of Tuesday night.
Here’s a timeline of events, according to the sheriff’s office:
At 11:31 a.m., a woman housed in one of the jail’s medical pods notified a deputy of a medical concern. The deputy contacted the medical staff. A nurse arrived a few minutes later. The nurse conducted an assessment and left the cell to consult with medical staff.
At 11:54 a.m., a second nurse entered the cell to conduct a follow-up assessment. After the exam, medical staff left the cell, but “continued to assess the situation and order additional medical tests.” Meanwhile, deputies were left to check on the inmate.
By 12:41 p.m., a deputy responded to the woman’s cell and discovered she had given birth. The deputy assisted the woman. Emergency Medical Services were alerted.
Medical staff treated the woman at the Montgomery County jail before she and her baby were transported to a hospital.
Reporter Kenya Anderson can be reached at kanderson@nashvill.gannett.com or on Twitter at KenyaAnderson32.
