A Tragedy Turned Legal Battle

In a case that drew national outrage, a Fulton County jury awarded $2.25 million to Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. after a private pathologist shared graphic autopsy videos of their decapitated newborn son on social media. The parents suffered not only the devastating loss of their baby during childbirth but also a shocking violation of privacy after the incident.

What Happened

• Date: July 10, 2023

• Location: Southern Regional Medical Center, Riverdale, Georgia

• Victim: “Baby Isaiah”

During delivery, Jessica Ross repeatedly requested a Cesarean section while her baby was still alive. Staff instructed her to keep pushing despite complications. The baby experienced shoulder dystocia, a medical emergency where the shoulder becomes stuck during birth.

Doctors eventually performed an emergency C-section, but the delay proved fatal. The baby was decapitated during delivery, a tragedy the parents claimed was preventable.

The Social Media Breach

After the delivery, Ross and Taylor hired Dr. Jackson Gates, a private pathologist from Medical Diagnostic Choices, to perform an independent autopsy. Without their permission, Gates posted graphic videos of the autopsy—including footage of their baby’s severed head and body—on his public Instagram account.

The parents immediately sent a cease-and-desist letter, but Gates refused to remove the content. The couple then filed a lawsuit, accusing him of invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and fraud.

The Court’s Decision

• Court: Fulton County Superior Court

• Defendants: Dr. Jackson Gates, Medical Diagnostic Choices

• Plaintiffs: Jessica Ross, Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr.

Gates and his company failed to respond to the lawsuit. As a result, the court issued a default judgment. The jury then held a trial to determine damages. On June 19, 2025, the jury awarded the parents $2 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages—the maximum allowed by law.

Lawyers Responded

The parents’ attorneys praised the jury’s decision, calling it a clear statement on accountability. “After the decapitation of their baby, Gates poured salt into the couple’s already deep wounds when he betrayed them,” their legal team stated.

Gates defended his actions by claiming the videos served an educational purpose and did not violate privacy laws. The court and jury strongly disagreed.

More Legal Action Pending

Ross and Taylor also filed a separate lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center and Dr. Tracey St. Julian, the obstetrician who delivered their child. They alleged the hospital used excessive force and failed to perform a timely C-section. That case remains ongoing as the hospital seeks dismissal.

The local medical examiner later ruled the baby’s death a homicide caused by “actions of another person.”

Broader Impact

The verdict sent a powerful message about medical ethics and digital privacy. It raised critical questions about professional conduct, patient consent, and the misuse of sensitive material on social media. It also reminded the medical community of the need to respect dignity—not only in life but also in death.

Details were originally shared by Viola Flowers via NBC News: