A Missouri woman has revealed the traumatic details of giving birth completely alone on the floor of a jail cell, despite repeatedly telling staff she was in labour and needed medical help.
The shocking incident occurred at the Platte County Detention Center, where 26-year-old Ashley Caswell was being held on probation violations. In a disturbing account, Caswell described how her desperate pleas for assistance were ignored by correctional officers until it was too late.
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
"I was screaming, I was crying, I was begging for help," Caswell recounted about her experience in September 2022. "I kept telling them I was in labour and needed to go to the hospital, but they just kept telling me I was fine."
Despite her obvious distress and advanced pregnancy, jail staff allegedly dismissed her symptoms as mere discomfort or drug-seeking behaviour. Caswell, who was approximately 38 weeks pregnant, had been transparent about her pregnancy status upon booking into the facility.
Solitary Delivery in a Concrete Cell
The situation reached its terrifying climax when Caswell's water broke in her cell. "I delivered my baby by myself, on the floor, in a jail cell," she stated, the trauma still evident in her voice. "I had to pick her up off the concrete floor and cut her umbilical cord with my own hands."
Only after the baby was born did jail staff finally respond, arriving to find mother and newborn on the cell floor. Both were subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical care.
Systemic Failures and Legal Action
This disturbing case highlights what advocates call systemic failures in how correctional facilities handle pregnant inmates. Caswell has since filed a federal lawsuit against Platte County and several jail staff members, alleging deliberate indifference to her serious medical needs.
"They treated me like I wasn't even human," Caswell expressed. "No woman should ever have to go through what I went through."
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and policy changes to prevent similar incidents. Legal experts suggest this case could set important precedents regarding the treatment of pregnant inmates in detention facilities nationwide.
Broader Implications for Prison Reform
This incident adds to growing concerns about healthcare standards in correctional institutions, particularly regarding maternity care. Advocacy groups are calling for mandatory training for jail staff on recognizing and responding to labour symptoms, as well as established protocols for pregnant inmates.
As Caswell's case moves through the legal system, it raises urgent questions about accountability and the basic human rights of incarcerated pregnant women.
