Parents Filed $10 Million Suit Against Salem Health
The lawsuit alleges staff directed parents to transport their deceased infant home in a personal vehicle.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Babies
Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev filed a $10 million lawsuit against Salem Health in connection with the September 2024 death of their eight-month-old infant, Michael. The plaintiffs claim hospital staff instructed them to transport their child's body home in a car seat after refusing morgue services.
Why it matters
The legal action highlights serious allegations regarding the handling of deceased patients and the standard of care provided to grieving families. It questions the hospital's internal policies for body transport when funeral services are not immediately available.
The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages following the death of an 8-month-old infant. The plaintiffs allege they were directed to drive the body four hours from the hospital to Washington state.
The players
Aleksandr and Nataliya Yeremeyev
They are the parents of the deceased infant and the plaintiffs who initiated the legal action against the hospital.
Salem Health
This is a medical provider and the primary hospital named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Dr. Stefani Sorensen
She is a medical professional named as a defendant in the lawsuit alongside the emergency physicians service.
The details
The parents allege that Dr. Stefani Sorensen and staff at Salem Emergency Physicians Service provided a handwritten note on a prescription pad instead of formal transfer documents. The facility reportedly cited the cost of funeral home transport as the justification for denying morgue services.
Timeline
Michael Yeremeyev died at the hospital in September 2024.
This news was published on September 22, 2026.
Roadmap
This case reflects a broader shift toward increased transparency and legal accountability for medical institutions regarding end-of-life protocols. It challenges long-standing hospital administrative norms by focusing on the duty of care owed to families after a patient's death.
Residents may see increased scrutiny regarding the administrative policies at local emergency facilities. The case underscores the importance of understanding patient rights and hospital protocols during medical emergencies.
The takeaway
Families facing unexpected loss should request written documentation and official hospital transfer procedures to ensure proper handling of remains. Understanding legal avenues for grievances can help families seek accountability when standard medical protocols are not followed.
Further reading
For more information on family health and child support, visit Babies.
