Newborn dies after NICU fall in Ohio hospital accident

Ellieana Peyton, born with a rare heart condition on March 4, died on March 31 due to injuries sustained after she fell from her NICU crib — a fall caused when a nurse inadvertently dragged her by monitor cords kept in her pocket.

Ellieana was born with cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart’s left side is slightly smaller than normal. She spent her first weeks in the NICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and her health was steadily improving, as she reached milestones and was expected to go home soon.

However, on March 26, while her parents were briefly home to shower, they received a heart-breaking call: Ellieana had fallen and been dropped in the crib. The coroner’s report confirmed that her skull was fractured and she suffered brain bleeds from the fall. The injuries proved fatal, and she passed away on March 31.

How an accident turned fatal

According to the Franklin County coroner, the injuries occurred when a nurse, who had kept the baby’s monitor cords in her pocket, walked away and unintentionally dragged Ellieana out of the crib. The hospital stated they could not comment on specifics due to patient privacy.

Ellieana “lit up the room with her smile,” her obituary says. She was described as a sweet baby with “beautiful brown eyes” who loved being held by her parents and family. Despite her struggles, she left a powerful mark during her 29 days of life.

A GoFundMe set up by family friend Stella Dunlap raised $23,461 to assist with medical and funeral costs. Donations were later closed when the family found they could no longer accept funds.

This incident raises critical concerns about NICU safety. Hospitals often use strict protocols to prevent harm to fragile patients. Experts suggest the absence of such safeguards can cause dire consequences in high-pressure settings.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital has not publicly confirmed whether an internal investigation or safety review is underway. While privacy rules limit specifics, families and advocates are urging hospitals to implement or reinforce systems—like mandatory cord checks or double-count verification—to reduce similar risks.

“Due to patient privacy, we are unable to provide information about specific patients,” the hospital shared.

While nothing can erase the pain of losing a child, the Peyton family’s heartbreak serves as a powerful reminder: hospital safety isn’t optional—it’s essential. As community support continues and conversations around NICU protocols grow, parents—and infants—can only hope for stricter safeguards in the future.

Ellieana’s brief life reminds us of the fragility of our youngest, and the vital need to protect them — especially when every heartbeat matters.