ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The parents of a baby who was decapitated during birth at a Clayton County hospital were awarded millions by a Fulton County grand jury against the doctor they hired for an autopsy after photos of it were posted online.

The grand jury awarded Jessica Ross and Traveon Taylor Sr. $2,250,000 in damages on Wednesday.

RELATED: Clayton County couple sues doctor for allegedly posting autopsy videos of decapitated baby online

In September 2023, the couple filed a lawsuit against Dr. Jackson Gates and Gates Rapid Diagnostic Laboratory of Atlanta. The lawsuit had claimed Gates, who was hired by the couple to do a private autopsy on Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr., uploaded a video of it to his public social media page.

“While we are pleased that a jury punished Dr. Jackson Gates for his reprehensible behavior, nothing can ease the pain that the parents, Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr., have experienced in losing their baby boy in such a horrific way,” the couple’s attorneys said in a statement. “After the decapitation of their baby, Gates poured salt into the couple’s already deep wounds when he betrayed them. This young couple trusted him with the remains of their precious baby. Gates, in turn, repaid this trust by posting horrific images of their child for the world to see.”

The couple’s attorneys said they believe the jury sent a “powerful message that doctors must always consider the feelings of their patients and in this case their clients.”

“Always move with empathy,” they said.

In March 2024, a Fulton County judge ruled that Gates and the diagnostic lab were liable in the baby’s death.

RELATED: Baby decapitated during birth at Riverdale hospital, lawsuit alleges

The couple also filed a lawsuit against Southern Regional Medical Center, claiming doctors incorrectly delivered the baby, causing the decapitation in July 2023.

The couple’s attorneys said the case against the hospital is still pending.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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