Oops! Another Day, Another Human 'Misplaced' by Big Healthcare

In a shocking display of incompetence, a California woman was literally left to rot in a Sacramento hospital's warehouse morgue for a year while her family frantically searched for her. Because, you know, big healthcare can't be bothered to pick up the phone. Buckle up, folks. This is some capitalist healthcare nightmare fuel.

Jessie Marie Peterson, a mere 31 years old, died at Mercy San Juan Medical Center on April 8, 2023, from cardiopulmonary arrest. But hey, her family only found out a year later. Thanks for the heads up, Dignity Health! 🤡

According to a civil complaint obtained by USA TODAY, the hospital claimed Peterson discharged herself against medical advice. Plot twist: she was actually dead the whole time! 😲 Who needs medical accuracy when you can just gaslight a grieving family?

Peterson's death certificate wasn't completed until nearly a year later. Meanwhile, her family was filing missing person reports and probably plastering her face on milk cartons. But sure, Dignity Health, tell us again how you "take pride in treating all people with dignity and respect." 🙄

In a statement obtained by ABC10, Dignity Health extended their "deepest sympathies" but couldn't comment on pending litigation. Translation: "Sorry, not sorry. Talk to our lawyers."

Jessie Marie Peterson's Body Found 'Decomposed'

Sacramento County Detective’s Office finally dropped the bomb on Peterson's family on April 12. Surprise! She's been dead and decomposing in our off-site warehouse morgue this whole time. 🎉 bet that was a fun conversation.

"At this point, Jessie’s body was so decomposed that an open casket funeral was not feasible, and Jessie’s fingerprints were not even obtainable for any keepsake," the complaint said. But hey, at least they saved on embalming costs, right? 🤑

On the day of her death, Peterson called her mom, Ginger Congi, asking to be picked up. Two hours later, she was pronounced dead. "Well, our hearts are broken.... the fact that she died all by herself, tucked away someplace that nobody cared,” Congi told WXIA-TV. Yeah, we'd say "broken" is an understatement.

Who was Jessie Marie Peterson?

Peterson was a loving, energetic person who grew up in Sacramento. She was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 10, but that didn't stop her from being awesome. She was a water polo and dance team member, a Sierra College alum, and a prosecuting attorney for Placer County Peer Court.

But to Mercy San Juan hospital, she was just another lifeless body. Her family is seeking over $5 million in damages to "punish" the medical center. Because, you know, maybe next time they'll actually bother to notify families when their loved ones die. 🔥💸