Even in the most perfect situations, labor and delivery are stressful. Things can happen suddenly and without warning. A viral TikTok of a Texas mother in active labor shows just how quickly things move. Keira Jones arrived at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite in active labor. The clip shows the mother writhing in pain and moaning. A nurse, identified as Lacrista Vaughn, appears to show zero concern while asking intake questions. The video outraged viewers, prompting many to call for Vaughn’s termination.
Jones’ mother uploaded the video to her TikTok, @kashman2814, where it has amassed more than 50 million views in just a few days. Text on the video reads, “This woman had her in the waiting area more than 30mins The delivery was AWFUL.”
In the clip, Vaughn appears to ignore Jones’ condition as she asks her basic intake questions and types in the answers. She asks about how many children she has, her due date, and the doctor’s name. Vaughn barely looks at the expectant mother as both Jones and Kash answer her questions.
It’s positively infuriating to see a woman in so much pain being ignored and invalidated. Working in the medical field requires a level of decorum and nurturing that is completely missing from this interaction. Jones delivered her baby boy 12 minutes later, according to the video.
Kash put Vaughn on the money and asked her very boldly, “Ya’ll treat all your patients like this or just the Black ones?”
It’s no surprise that the nurse had no response.
The online backlash was swift and fierce. Infuriated viewers posted Vaughn’s name and license number all over the internet. We are not condoning doxxing, but we live in a world where if people want to find you, they will. Vaughn learned that lesson the hard way.
@kashman2814 deathly charge nurse! donot care bout black women and babies uncaring paperwork over life this baby had to have severe test in the 24h of birth do to her actions
♬ original sound – Suggababies❌
Dallas Regional Medical Center issued a statement about the viral video to People.
“At Dallas Regional Medical Center, the safety, dignity, and well-being of our patients are always our highest priorities. We are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every person who comes through our doors, and we are reviewing this situation to understand what occurred,” the medical center noted.
“Due to patient privacy laws, we cannot share further details at this time, but our focus remains on ensuring that every patient receives the attentive, respectful care they deserve,” the statement added.
More than 150,000 people have commented on Kash’s video. Not one person was on Vaughn’s side.
“She never even turned around when she screamed so sad,” one comment reads.
“The non chalent dismissiveness would have burned my soul!” another person agreed.
Medical professionals felt sick as they watched Jones suffer.
“As a nurse, this is so upsetting and disheartening to watch. she is in PAIN. she should’ve gone straight to the birthing room,” a nurse wrote. “I’m so sorry.”
Several online videos and statements claim Vaughn lost her job, but it’s unclear at this point whether that’s the case. In August 2018, she posted a photo of her degree on Instagram with the caption, “Just got home to find this on my porch!!! TYJ!!!”
Although the post is more than seven years old, the comment section came back to life after Vaughn’s newfound fame.
“You don’t deserve it!” one person wrote.
“You will lose your license I guarantee,” another comment predicted.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time and won’t be the last time a mother receives this kind of treatment in a hospital. From what we can see in Kash’s video, Jones and her baby are lucky to be alive, and not because of anything Vaughn did to help them. We realize the hospital can’t comment, but we hope officials did the right thing and sent this nurse packing.
