Tragic Consequences of Delayed Pregnancy Care in the Wake of Texas Abortion Ban
ICARO Media Group
**Texas Teen Dies of Sepsis Amid Abortion Ban Delays in Pregnancy Care**
An 18-year-old from Texas, Nevaeh Crain, tragically died after facing severe pregnancy complications, with medical intervention allegedly delayed due to the state's restrictive abortion laws.
On October 28, 2023, Crain, who was six months pregnant, awoke with a severe headache that soon intensified into a fever, nausea, and vomiting. Despite her worsening condition, she pushed through her baby shower before her family decided to seek medical attention. Her boyfriend, Randall Broussard, took her to a nearby hospital, where they endured a four-hour wait in the emergency room.
The hospital staff eventually diagnosed Crain with strep throat, overlooking her severe abdominal pain and other pregnancy-related symptoms. After being prescribed antibiotics, she was discharged. Her condition significantly worsened overnight, prompting her mother, Candace Fails, to rush her to another hospital. There, signs of sepsis — a critical condition where the body reacts improperly to infection — began manifesting.
Despite being administered IV fluids and antibiotics for two hours, Crain's health continued to decline. A nurse confirmed her baby still had a heartbeat, which led to Crain being discharged once more. Hours later, Crain was readmitted to the hospital following heavy bleeding and a miscarriage.
The medical team encountered legal obstacles due to Texas' near-total abortion ban, which prevented immediate intervention to remove the unviable fetus unless Crain's life was imminently at risk. Only after a second ultrasound confirmed the fetal demise more than two hours later did the doctors prepare for a procedure. However, by then, Crain's condition had deteriorated to the point that a surgery was deemed too dangerous.
Nevaeh Crain succumbed to her injuries in the intensive care unit, with medical experts suggesting she might have survived had she received timely and appropriate care. Since this devastating incident, Candace Fails has sought legal recourse but has been unable to find an attorney due to the stringent requirements of Texas law, which mandates proof of "willful and wanton negligence" for emergency care cases.