State urged to investigate hospital

The attorney for the woman who alleges a lack of care at University Medical Center led to the death of her baby has called for a criminal investigation by the state attorney general's office.

"Let's talk about criminal negligence. What about involuntary manslaughter?" attorney Jacob Hafter said.

He said his client, Roshunda Abney, 25, gave birth to a premature baby Nov. 30 after UMC staff members did not treat her. She said she did not know she was pregnant.

She went first to a UMC Quick Care clinic and later to the hospital, complaining of pain. She said she never received treatment at UMC. She also said she failed to get treatment at Valley Hospital Medical Center. She gave birth at home to the baby, later named Angel, an estimated three months early. The baby died.

Attempts to reach a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office Tuesday were unsuccessful.

After Abney's allegations, six UMC staff members were suspended.

Hafter said he asked the attorney general's office to conduct the investigation because the Clark County district attorney's office would have a conflict of interest. That office is supervised by the Clark County Commission, which also acts as UMC's Board of Trustees.