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Posted on 09/25/2026 11:09:31 PM PDT by Morgana
A couple is suing an Oregon hospital for $10 million after they were allegedly forced to drive home with the body of their dead infant son.
Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev are accusing Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics of negligence after their infant son, Michael, died in the emergency department in September 2024. Hospital staff then allegedly instructed the Yeremeyevs to drive their son’s body home to Seattle in their personal vehicle.
“Michael Yeremeyev died in Salem Hospital’s emergency room after falling ill during his first family trip, at less than nine months old,” the family’s attorneys said in a statement. “At the moment when his parents, Aleksandr and Nataliya, most needed support, guidance, and assistance in navigating this tragic situation, they got none.”
The Yeremeyevs had traveled to Salem, Oregon, with their 6-month-old son, Michael, for a Christian retreat when his breathing suddenly became shallow and rapid, according to the complaint. Michael was born with Down syndrome and had other significant medical conditions. Aleksandr Yeremeyev took Michael to the emergency department at Salem Hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical staff, Michael died hours later.
After the child passed away, the parents said hospital staff asked them to stay away from his body while they waited for a medical examiner. Eventually, hospital staff told the couple that a medical examiner would not be coming, according to the complaint.
When the parents asked about arrangements for their child’s body and how to arrange for a local funeral home to transport him in a manner that aligned with their religious beliefs and practices, staff allegedly told them it would be too expensive and instructed them to drive the child’s body home in their own car.
Staff also allegedly said they couldn’t print the necessary paperwork for the child’s death because they did not have the correct paper or form. A doctor provided them with a handwritten note stating the child had died at the hospital. When the parents asked how they were to transport the child’s body and expressed concern about his body becoming stiff during the four-hour drive, hospital staff allegedly said they should lay his body flat in the backseat.
The couple then carried their dead child, whose face had turned blue, out of the emergency department and into their car. They laid him in the backseat, as they said they were told to do, and drove home to Seattle, the lawsuit says.
“No grieving family should ever be placed in that position,” their lawyers said. “Salem Health categorically failed this family at the worst moment of their lives, and we intend to hold them accountable.”
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Salem Health said the company was unable to discuss pending litigation but that their deepest condolences are with the Yeremeyev family.
“Salem Hospital responded in accordance with the family’s wishes and followed both hospital policy and Oregon state law in consultation with the appropriate local authorities, including the medical examiner,” the spokesperson said. “Care with respect is a guiding principle of clinical practice at Salem Hospital and remains central to how we support patients and families during some of life’s most difficult moments. We recognize the profound grief families experience following the loss of a loved one and treat every patient and family with empathy, dignity, and respect.”
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In the early 1950s my parents took me to Eastern Montana (from W. Washington) to meet family. From pictures it looked like I must have been all of 2 months old. I don’t think travelling with babies is that odd. Going to events, like games, etc. however, I question.
People had funerals at home. My father in laws mother had funeral in their home...1960’s NYS
It was the parent’s decision to do this. No one held a gun to their heads.
They could have taken turns...
“When the parents asked about arrangements for their child’s body and how to arrange for a local funeral home to transport him in a manner that aligned with their religious beliefs and practices,”
The headline and whole premise are false. No one FORCED the parents not to hire a funeral home or make other arrangements for carrying out their responsibility. Making the parents aware that they could legally self-transport if they lacked the wherewithal to pay for transport is not of itself cruel.
Hospitals are not in the body transport and funeral business. There is no indication that the hospital prevented the parents from CONTACTING the funeral home of their choice, and arranging for transport per their religious beliefs and practices. If the parents were incapable due to language or finances or grief, why not ask members of their religion to help?
“They could have taken turns...”
True, but that’s parenting, not babysitting.
Years ago my aunt researched our ancestry for DAR and this was way before internet and so she had to do a lot of research at various counties, etc. So she found historical records in Pennsylvania about our ancestor who fought in the revolution. The record showed the date and location of his wife’s death, and that she bore him thirteen children. Of course, the funeral was held at their home and in the record it stated, she was so large and heavy that the coffin they built would not go through the door, the funeral was held on the porch. Because of the weight she had to be removed from the coffin and it took “many” men to carry her to the gravesite where the coffin had been taken separately……….
I think the initial discussion about the cost of hiring a funeral home to arrange transport was probably brought up by the parents. When told by staff it would be very expensive the parents most likely asked if there was an alternative. Sadly self transport would have been it. I doubt hospital staff bluntly said “Forget hiring the funeral home.you can’t afford it, here’s the body you are on your own.”
I also wonder why the couple did not contact any members of their church or friends or family. And not to sound too harsh but when traveling a long distance with a child who has severe life threatening condition it would be prudent to have a plan for if the child becomes very ill or even dies.
I am sorry their son died. But this comes across as a money grab to me.
Hospitals were paid to diagnose a Covid infection no matter what reality said. Yes, this is just a $$ decision and causes distrust, even contempt.
Ditto for trans crappola. Hospitals are paid (tax payer $$) to mutilate kiddies.
There can be no resumption of trust/respect until after such behaviors are acknowledged and individuals condemned. Not “collective” mistakes, INDIVIDUALS.
“I think the initial discussion about the cost of hiring a funeral home to arrange transport was probably brought up by the parents. When told by staff it would be very expensive the parents most likely asked if there was an alternative. Sadly self transport would have been it. I doubt hospital staff bluntly said ‘Forget hiring the funeral home.you can’t afford it, here’s the body you are on your own’.”
Exactly my reaction
It used to be easy. Nowadays, people with little babies can always choose to stay at home more often rather than cave in to their fear of missing out.
Interesting. I use Find a Grave a lot for my research. Did you use that?? I might be able to find something new...if you wish to post me privately.
My gut is growling....
Good question. If he was I can’t imagine his doctor not going over the risks of long trips with his parents.
Yet another “for the children” incident.
“Did they know he was going to die?? Who saw the baby prior??”
From the article:
“Michael was born with Down syndrome and had other significant medical conditions.”
That was a big clue in that the baby was not well and could die. With a child like that they were better off leaving him at home with Grandma than dragging him into the next state. That way if he got sick, which he did, he could be taken to doctors that are familiar with him and his condition.
Did they take the baby to avoid an autopsy?? What did happen to the baby?
No autopsy?? Cremated??
Did they not expect the baby to be in their care during what would be a very difficult life??
Something is wrong here.
Tell me more about the parents and their life.
The entire escapade doesn’t make sense.
I brought my 4 children everywhere as infants. Sports events for older kids teams, disney, the Poconos. I’d have no hesitation taking a 4 hour trip & my grandsons travel several times a year to Pittsburgh ~6hrs from 3-4 months old. Youngest has been twice & he’s 6 months old. Thirty five - forty years later it worked out fine.
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