Nineteen-year-old high school senior Alexi Trevisio faces charges of murdering her newborn son in a chilling case that has gripped the nation. Police allege that Trevisio, after giving birth in a hospital bathroom, suffocated the infant and concealed his body in a trash can beneath a garbage bag. However, her lawyer, Gary Mitchell, has put forth a startling claim: he asserts that the hospital nurses and doctors are responsible for the baby’s death, alleging a stillbirth caused by the administration of drugs like morphine.
Mitchell argues that Trevisio, who complained of back pain but denied the possibility of pregnancy, was given a cocktail of medications that tragically led to the baby’s demise. He has filed a notice of intent to sue the hospital, alleging negligence and malpractice.
Alexi Trevisio in her cheerleading uniform
Mitchell shared his client’s account with Law&Crime, stating that Trevisio, after an intense cheerleading practice, went to the hospital for severe back and abdominal pain. Despite her high pain level, she was not informed of her pregnancy until almost an hour after arriving.
He further contends that the hospital continued to administer morphine and other drugs even after confirming her pregnancy. According to Mitchell, these actions directly contributed to the baby’s tragic outcome.
However, this version of events has been met with skepticism and strong criticism. Surveillance footage shows Trevisio rushing to the bathroom, clutching her backside. A supervising nurse, in a statement to the police, described finding a blood-soaked bathroom after Trevisio finally opened the door.
The nurse’s account, captured on police body camera footage, suggests that Trevisio was aware of the birth and attempted to conceal it. The infant’s body was discovered under a fresh liner in the trash can, raising further questions about Trevisio’s actions.
A still from the body camera footage
Adding another layer to the case is the autopsy report, which revealed the presence of air in the infant’s lungs. This finding contradicts the defense’s claim of a stillbirth, as it suggests the baby was born alive and breathed independently.
Legal experts, like former homicide prosecutor and current medical malpractice attorney Jerry Dugan, have weighed in on the case, expressing serious doubts about the defense’s strategy. Dugan characterizes their approach as “desperate and dangerous,” pointing out the difficulty of exonerating Trevisio given the circumstances.
He criticizes the defense’s attempts to shift blame to the medical professionals, emphasizing that administering morphine to a pregnant woman experiencing severe pain is not a deviation from standard medical practice.
Dugan also highlights the minuscule amount of morphine found in the baby’s system, arguing that it’s highly unlikely to have caused the infant’s death. He believes that the defense is overlooking the strength of the prosecution’s case, particularly the evidence of Trevisio’s deceptive behavior and attempts to conceal the birth.
Jerry Dugan during the interview
Furthermore, Dugan suggests that the defense’s reliance on technicalities, like the presence of trace amounts of morphine, might alienate the jury. He emphasizes the potential impact of Trevisio’s actions and inconsistent statements on the jury’s perception of her guilt or innocence.
While the defense maintains its stance, the case raises significant questions about accountability, medical care, and the complexities of legal defense strategies. The trial, when it commences, promises to be a closely watched legal battle, with experts anticipating a verdict that could have far-reaching implications.
