In a shocking case from the United States, a pregnant woman was compelled to attend a virtual court hearing while in active labour after refusing a C-section, raising serious concerns about patient rights and medical consent. The incident, first reported by ProPublica, involved Cherise Doyley, a Florida-based doula, who found herself in a courtroom setting while lying on a hospital bed.

The incident occurred in September 2024 at a University of Florida Health hospital, where Doyley had been in labour for nearly 12 hours. Without her consent, hospital staff reportedly initiated a Zoom hearing, bringing a judge, lawyers, and medical personnel into a virtual room as she endured contractions.

“It’s a real judge in there?” Doyley asked in disbelief as the hearing began, lasting nearly three hours. US Woman Climbs Over Baggage Check-In Desk, Throws Monitor At Airline Staff in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport After Missing Flight; Video Surfaces.

Florida Woman’s Zoom Hearing Over C-Section Sparks Outrage

Doyley, already a mother of three, had expressed her wish for a natural birth, citing past complications from C-sections, including a haemorrhage. Despite acknowledging medical risks, she argued they were minimal and wanted the chance to deliver vaginally.

However, hospital authorities filed an emergency petition, claiming potential danger to the unborn child. During the hearing, Judge Michael Kalil stated that while he would not immediately order surgery, doctors could proceed with a C-section without her consent in case of an emergency. US: Newlywed Woman Left Heartbroken After Army Veteran Husband Dies by Suicide Day After ‘Perfect’ Honeymoon, Months Later Receives Flowers He Ordered Before Death (Watch Video).

“They’re going to tie me up and go give me a C-section against my will?” Doyley questioned during the proceedings.

Later that night, doctors reported a drop in the baby’s heart rate, leading to an emergency C-section. The next day, Doyley appeared in court again, revealing she had not yet been allowed to see her newborn daughter.

More than a year later, she says the experience still haunts her, describing it as “torture” and a deep violation of her autonomy.

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TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (ProPublica ), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 05, 2026 08:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).