Tragic birth and loss of child

On October 16, 2018, Sandra Sammarcelli and her husband Thomas faced a devastating experience when their first child, Hylian, was born under medically difficult circumstances at the hospital in Bastia. The child passed away a week later in a hospital in Nice after being urgently transferred.

Legal investigation into midwife

Eight years after the tragedy, the couple has decided to share their story due to a significant legal development. The midwife who was responsible for Sandra Sammarcelli and her unborn child is now under formal investigation for involuntary homicide, accused of negligence, recklessness, and failure to meet safety obligations.

Lawyer outlines negligence

According to lawyer Jean-Christophe Coubris, who represents the couple, a series of fatal negligence incidents contributed to the death of Hylian. The couple claims that the midwife made critical errors during the birthing process, which led to the child’s death.

Sequence of events during birth

Four days after the due date of an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, the decision was made to induce labor. However, fetal heart rate abnormalities were noticed in the afternoon, and the midwife disconnected the monitoring in the early evening, asking the patient not to return for several hours. Sandra’s condition worsened, and she was attended to again around 11 p.m., with delivery occurring after 1 a.m.

Medical complications and death

Hylian was born with anoxia, a condition caused by a lack of oxygen, which resulted in irreversible brain damage and damage to other organs that led to his death. The couple remains deeply affected by the loss of their first child, though they have since started a family again.

Seeking justice and accountability

The couple is seeking justice and hopes the midwife, who is still practicing, will acknowledge her responsibility and face sanctions. They are also waiting for the Bastia hospital to be held accountable, as they believe the hospital did not disclose information at the time of Hylian’s death and may have even refused to provide documents for the legal case. The Corsica Mediation and Compensation Commission estimated last year that the parents were entitled to full compensation for their damages.