Parents Sue Hospital, Claiming They Were Forced to Drive Dead Infant Home

A Washington state couple has filed a civil complaint against Salem Health, alleging they were forced to transport their infant son's body home themselves after the hospital staff said it would be too expensive to arrange for the transfer.

Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev's son, Michael, was born in early 2024 with Down syndrome and other complications, requiring hospitalization for his first six months. When Michael was eight months old, the family took him on a trip to Oregon. Late one night on September 22, 2024, the infant's breathing became rapid, and his parents rushed him to a Salem Health hospital.

Despite lifesaving efforts, Michael was pronounced dead at 2:44 a.m. According to the lawsuit, hospital staff did not offer to store the infant's body in the morgue. The parents allege they repeatedly inquired about transporting their son back to Seattle but were told the hospital lacked the proper paperwork and that it would be too costly to coordinate with a funeral home.

Instead, the parents claim they were advised by hospital staff to drive their son's body home in their own vehicle. Initially, staff suggested placing the infant in his car seat. When the mother expressed concern about the body stiffening, the couple was then advised to lay him flat in the backseat with a blanket.

Michael's mother reportedly carried his body out of the hospital to their car, after which his father drove the four-hour journey back to Seattle. The lawsuit states that on the drive home, the parents had to contact multiple funeral homes to find one that would accept their son's remains. Upon their return to Seattle, the father allegedly had to clean bodily fluids from the vehicle's backseat.

The Yeremeyevs are seeking $10 million in damages for extreme emotional distress and psychological injuries they claim were caused by the defendants' actions. Named in the lawsuit are Salem Health, Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics, Salem Emergency Physicians Service, and Dr. Stefani Sorensen. The complaint alleges that the defendants failed to adhere to established policies regarding documentation, family support, and the handling of deceased infants.

Nataliya Yeremeyev posted on social media on the first anniversary of her son's death, expressing her grief and love for Michael. The family appears to have four surviving children, including twins born in August 2025.