Willis Knighton to Present Caring Cradles
Shreveport hospital campuses will host presentation of perinatal cooling bassinets provided under Louisiana's Angel's Law.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Babies
Willis Knighton Pierremont and WK Bossier campuses will present Caring Cradles on November 10, 2026. The bassinets are perinatal cooling devices made available to families experiencing intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, stillbirth, or infant death.
Why it matters
Caring Cradles are provided through Angel's Law, which was signed into law during the 2026 legislative session to provide bereavement support to families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. The devices help preserve the baby's body temperature so families can spend time with their child.
Caring Cradles are specialized bassinets that preserve a baby's body temperature. Hospital staff and families must be trained on using the device and identifying available bereavement services.
The players
Willis Knighton Health System
A Shreveport-based nonprofit hospital system operating multiple campuses across northwest Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Health
The state agency responsible for identifying hospitals eligible to receive Caring Cradles under Angel's Law.
Senator Thomas Pressly
A Louisiana state senator who co-authored Angel's Law, which provides bereavement support to families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.
Representative Dennis Bamburg
A Louisiana state representative who co-authored Angel's Law alongside Senator Thomas Pressly.
The details
Heidi Saint James, a nonprofit presenter from Mandeville, Louisiana, will present the Caring Cradles at the Shreveport campuses. The Louisiana Department of Health will identify hospitals meeting criteria to receive the cradles, working with the Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality.
Timeline
2026 legislative session: Angel's Law, also known as Act 346, is signed into law.
November 10, 2026: Caring Cradles are presented at Willis Knighton Pierremont and WK Bossier.
Legal Context
Angel's Law, Act 346, was signed during Louisiana's 2026 legislative session to expand bereavement support for families facing pregnancy or infant loss. The Caring Cradle presentations at Shreveport-area campuses show the law moving from statute into hospital operations.
Families who experience stillbirth, neonatal death, or infant death at a participating hospital may be offered a Caring Cradle to keep their baby's body temperature stable. Hospital staff will also be able to point families to available bereavement services.
The takeaway
Families facing pregnancy or infant loss in Shreveport can ask their hospital care team whether a Caring Cradle and bereavement services are available. Knowing these options ahead of time can make a difficult moment easier to navigate.
What happens next
Willis Knighton will present Caring Cradles at its Pierremont and WK Bossier campuses on November 10, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Shreveport babies coverage to see how local families and hospitals are handling pregnancy and infant loss support.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTALnews.
