Texas Teen Nevaeh Crain Dies After Multiple ER Visits Amid Abortion Ban Complications

Nevaeh Crain, an 18-year-old pregnant teenager from Texas, died in October 2023 after a series of distressing hospital visits that highlighted the critical consequences of the state’s strict abortion ban. Crain, who was six months pregnant, experienced severe symptoms including fever, vomiting, and bleeding, which prompted her to visit two different emergency rooms within a span of 12 hours.

Despite her worsening condition, Crain was discharged from the first hospital, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, with a prescription for antibiotics. Her mother, Candace Fails, took her to another hospital, Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth, where she was seen by an OB-GYN. However, the hospital’s adherence to the abortion ban led to delays in her treatment. A doctor insisted on performing two ultrasounds to “confirm fetal demise” before moving her to intensive care, a decision that cost precious hours.

Crain’s condition rapidly deteriorated due to a severe infection, sepsis, which progressed to a dangerous complication known as disseminated intravascular coagulation. This condition caused her to bleed internally, and despite being admitted to the ICU, it was too late for surgical intervention. Crain passed away shortly after, leaving her family and community in grief.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the Texas abortion ban, with many arguing that it led to the delay in Crain’s necessary medical care. Crain’s case is one of at least two documented deaths in Texas attributed to the abortion ban, the other being Josseli Barnica, who died after a miscarriage in 2021.

Crain’s family, who opposed abortion on moral grounds except in cases of rape or life-threatening illness, are now advocating for changes in the law to prevent similar tragedies. The hospitals involved in Crain’s care have declined to comment on the specifics of her treatment, adding to the controversy surrounding her death.