A family is suing the South Miami Hospital after their newborn baby received an unauthorized medical procedure. The alleged incident of medical malpractice occurred when the baby was circumcised, despite the parents' insistence that the child not receive the procedure. 

The baby was suffering from complications after his birth, and he was placed in intensive care. According to the baby's mother, her doctor repeatedly asked her and her husband if they planned to have the child circumcised, to which they replied that they did not each time.

After the baby had been hospitalized for eight days, the mother discovered a painkiller in the baby's bassinet. When she inquired as to why the baby needed pain relief, a nurse informed her that the baby had been circumcised. The nurse opened the baby's diaper to reveal that the procedure had been performed, causing the infant's mother to cry.

The hospital admitted its fault and claimed the incident was a mistake that occurred because a consent form was misread. A press release stated that the hospital staff was "deeply sorry" for the "unfortunate mistake." Hospital officials stated that the infant did not suffer any complications from the procedure.

The family's attorney accuses the hospital of not only medical malpractice, but battery as well. He explained that the procedure was an unauthorized touching of the infant. Further, he pointed out the fact that a doctor had signed a form saying he had conversations with the parents that never occurred.

According to hospital officials, the hospital has a new procedure for ensuring that unwanted circumcisions do not occur.   

Source: WSVN-TV "Family to sue hospital over procedure" 9/13/10