Brooklyn woman gives birth in court, prompting calls to review detention care
A Brooklyn woman delivered a baby on a courtroom bench during her May 15 arraignment.
Why it matters: The rare event highlights systemic gaps in detainee healthcare and New York protocols for pregnant defendants. Legal advocates and officials are calling for a review of policies on detainee care and restraint in custody.
- Samantha Randazzo, 33, gave birth in Brooklyn Criminal Court minutes before her arraignment.
- Police arrested Randazzo on May 14; she told officers she was pregnant and experiencing withdrawal, a term referring to symptoms after stopping certain drugs.
- Court officers cleared the courtroom to help after her attorney, Wynton Sharpe, noted she was in labor.
- The Legal Aid Society is urging a thorough investigation of how court and detention staff handled the case.
Samantha Randazzo, 33, delivered a baby in Brooklyn Criminal Court just as her drug possession and trespassing arraignment was set to begin.
- Officers arrested Randazzo on May 14 after finding her and another person with suspected drugs in a New York City Housing Authority building, according to NBC New York.
- Randazzo alerted officers to her pregnancy and withdrawal symptoms—side effects people may experience when suddenly stopping some medications or substances. She was taken to a hospital before returning for her court date.
- Attorney Wynton Sharpe witnessed Randazzo going into labor. "We saw it. She didn't have to say anything. We were like, oh OK, this is happening, like, now," Sharpe told reporters. Officers and Sharpe quickly helped, clearing the courtroom.
- The Legal Aid Society criticized the incident, stating Randazzo had been in custody for over 24 hours and was possibly restrained during labor. (New York prohibits restraining women in labor, but advocates say violations persist.)
- Al Baker with the Office of Court Administration said, "We are delighted both mother and baby are well." Randazzo's arraignment took place in her absence as she received care.
The Legal Aid Society demands that all agencies involved, including court personnel and police, face an immediate and comprehensive review of their handling of pregnant detainees.
Legal experts and advocates say the case exposes longstanding problems in detainee care and call for strengthened oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
By the numbers:
- 24+ hours — time Randazzo reportedly spent in custody before giving birth
- 2015 — year New York prohibited shackling women in labor
Yes, but: Officials have not confirmed if Randazzo was restrained during delivery; advocates contest the facts.
What's next: Legal Aid and partner groups plan to request a formal review by city oversight agencies this month.