A 27-day-old infant died at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, following an accident in which she was pulled from her crib when a nurse walked away with monitoring equipment cords in her pocket, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
Ellieana Jewel Peyton was born March 4, 2025, to Tyler Peyton and Mackenzie Marshall of Zanesville, Ohio. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a cardiovascular condition affecting the left side of her heart, making it smaller than normal. Despite this condition, Ellieana had been progressing well in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit and was scheduled for discharge on March 28, 2025.
The incident occurred on March 26, 2025, while her parents had temporarily left the hospital to shower at home. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by family friend Stella Dunlap, the parents received a phone call informing them that their baby had been dropped. The fundraiser explained that hospital staff told them their nurse had kept the baby’s monitor cords in her pocket, and when she walked away, the infant was dragged from her NICU crib.
The accident resulted in Ellieana suffering a fractured skull and brain bleeding. She remained hospitalized for five additional days before dying on March 31, 2025. Her mother, Mackenzie Peyton, confirmed to local media that she was informed the nurse caring for her daughter had kept the monitor cords in her pocket, and when the nurse went to walk away, baby Ellieana was dragged from her crib.
An autopsy report released Tuesday, May 3, 2025, by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined that Ellieana died from a congenital heart defect complicated by blunt force head injuries. The coroner ruled the death accidental, stating the injuries were caused by a fall from a crib.
Mackenzie Peyton told reporters that her family experiences both good and bad days, but the pain of losing her daughter remains.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital declined to provide details about the case, citing patient privacy policies. Hospital officials stated they are unable to provide information about specific patients.
According to the hospital’s published NICU guidelines, parents are granted 24-hour access to their babies, while healthcare teams adhere to strict safety protocols. These guidelines emphasize the importance of hand hygiene, restrictions on personal items in patient beds, and measures to prevent electronic interference with medical equipment.
Ellieana had been meeting developmental milestones during her NICU stay despite her heart condition. Her cardiomyopathy required ongoing monitoring but was not considered immediately life-threatening at the time of the accident.
Family members described Ellieana as having a contagious smile that would light up any room and beautiful brown eyes. Her obituary noted she was particularly alert and responsive, especially to her parents’ voices, and would search for them when she heard them nearby. Her favorite place was in the loving arms of her parents and family members.
The infant is survived by her parents and several family members, including grandparents April Terry, Shelley Ore, and Randy Ore, along with multiple aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her uncle Brian Sheridan, cousin Ryder Newman, and grandparents Stephanie King, Doris Sheridan, and Frances Palm.
Funeral services were conducted April 5, 2025, at First Church of God in Zanesville, Ohio, with Pastor Nehemiah Gaiters officiating. Calling hours preceded the 1 p.m. service, followed by cremation. DeLong-Baker & Lanning Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
The GoFundMe fundraiser, established to help the family with medical expenses and time away from work, highlighted how the parents became terrified to leave their daughter’s bedside following the accident. The fundraiser emphasized the need for community support to help manage financial obligations while the family focused on caring for their daughter.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital operates a Level IV NICU that provides the highest level of neonatal intensive care for critically ill newborns with complex medical conditions. The facility employs specialized medical professionals who provide continuous monitoring and care for vulnerable patients.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office investigation determined the incident was accidental rather than the result of negligence or intentional harm. The official findings concluded the case, while the family continues to grieve their loss.
