A grieving Georgia couple was awarded $2.25 million after a doctor shared graphic videos of their decapitated infant’s autopsy on social media without consent, violating their privacy during an already traumatic loss.
Key Takeaways
- Jessica Ross and Traveon Taylor Sr. won a $2.25 million verdict after Dr. Jackson Gates posted unauthorized autopsy videos of their deceased infant on Instagram
- The baby was decapitated during childbirth due to alleged excessive force by the delivering obstetrician
- Dr. Gates and his Atlanta-based business were found liable for emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and fraud
- The couple will receive $2 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages
- Separate lawsuits are pending against the delivering doctor and hospital where the incident occurred
Horrific Breach of Medical Ethics
In a shocking display of professional misconduct, Dr. Jackson Gates was found liable for posting graphic autopsy videos and photos of a deceased infant on Instagram without parental consent. The jury awarded the baby’s parents, Jessica Ross and Traveon Taylor Sr., a $2.25 million verdict for emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and fraud. The couple had hired Gates to perform an independent autopsy after their baby was tragically decapitated during childbirth, only to discover that he had shared the deeply personal and disturbing content on social media.
The case stemmed from a horrific delivery incident where the obstetrician allegedly applied excessive force during the birth, causing the baby’s neck to detach. Seeking answers and closure, the grieving parents turned to Dr. Gates for an independent examination. Instead of treating their child’s remains with dignity, Gates exploited the tragic situation by posting graphic content online. Even after initially removing the videos and photos following complaints, Gates inexplicably reposted the disturbing content, compounding the family’s suffering.
⚖️🍼 Justice for Baby Isaiah: $2.25M Verdict in Gruesome Autopsy Case 🍼⚖️
🧵 What Happened:
A Georgia jury awarded $2.25 million to Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor, whose baby was decapitated during delivery and later had his autopsy videos shared online without consent.
The… pic.twitter.com/96Nt8z8cr1
— Network Axis Group (@NetAxisGroup) June 21, 2025
Doctor’s Defense Falls Flat
Dr. Gates’ attorney, Ira Livant, attempted to defend his client’s actions by claiming the posts were meant to educate and highlight the importance of independent medical examinations. This weak justification failed to persuade the jury, who recognized the fundamental violation of medical ethics and parental rights. The doctor’s disregard for basic decency and confidentiality represents a disturbing trend of medical professionals prioritizing social media presence over patient dignity and privacy rights.
“This young couple trusted him with the remains of their precious baby,” attorneys for the grieving parents said, noting that the doctor “poured salt into the couple’s already deep wounds,” said attorneys for the grieving parents.
In a half-hearted expression of remorse that came far too late, Gates claimed through his attorney that he was “deeply sorry for any harm that he unintentionally caused.” This apology rings hollow, particularly in light of his statement that he would not have posted the content had he known the parents would see it—suggesting he believed exploiting a dead child was acceptable as long as the parents remained unaware. This callous attitude demonstrates a complete disregard for parental rights and medical ethics.
Justice Served and Lawsuits Pending
The jury’s verdict will provide the couple with $2 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages. This substantial award reflects both the severity of the doctor’s misconduct and the devastating emotional impact on the already grieving parents. The decision sends a clear message that medical professionals cannot hide behind educational claims when violating patient confidentiality and exploiting tragedy for social media attention. Medical ethics exist for a reason, and this verdict reinforces their importance.
“Had he known for one second that they would see that and that they would know it was their child, he would never have done it,” said Ira Livant.
While this verdict represents a significant victory for the family, their legal battle continues. Separate lawsuits are still pending against both the delivering doctor responsible for the initial tragedy and the hospital where the incident occurred. This landmark case should serve as a warning to all medical professionals about the serious consequences of violating patient privacy and dignity. It also highlights the need for stricter oversight of medical professionals’ social media activities, especially when involving vulnerable patients and grieving families.
