Las Vegas Woman Says Baby Survived After Abortion Doctors Claimed Pregnancy Not Viable

Stacy Norris filed a lawsuit alleging medical providers misdiagnosed her viable pregnancy and subjected her to an abortion procedure.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 7:23pm

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A Las Vegas woman named Stacy Norris says her child survived after medical providers told her twice that the pregnancy had ended and no heartbeat existed. Norris consented to an abortion after doctors told her the pregnancy had ended, only to later learn it had continued and her baby was alive. She has since filed a lawsuit alleging her medical providers misdiagnosed a viable pregnancy and subjected her to an abortion procedure despite evidence the pregnancy was continuing.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about medical malpractice and the potential for devastating consequences when healthcare providers fail to properly monitor and interpret diagnostic information related to pregnancy viability. It also highlights the emotional trauma that can result from such errors, as well as the need for greater accountability in the medical industry.

The details

According to the complaint, ultrasounds and blood tests showed early signs of pregnancy and rising hormone levels, but providers failed to properly monitor, compare, or interpret those results over time. Doctors told Norris during multiple visits that no fetal heartbeat existed and classified the pregnancy as a missed abortion, leading her to consent to an abortion procedure. However, the lawsuit alleges the procedure was performed without confirming non-viability and without adequate diagnostic confirmation beforehand. After the procedure, providers continued to treat the pregnancy as nonviable and later prescribed medication to induce abortion, despite Norris later seeking care at a hospital where testing revealed hormone levels consistent with an ongoing pregnancy and an ultrasound confirmed a fetal heartbeat.

  • In February 2026, Stacy Norris consented to an abortion procedure after being told by medical providers that her pregnancy had ended.
  • Shortly after the abortion procedure, Norris sought care at a hospital where testing revealed her pregnancy was still viable.

The players

Stacy Norris

A Las Vegas woman who says her child survived after medical providers told her twice that the pregnancy had ended and no heartbeat existed.

Dr. Sheldon Paul

A doctor at the private clinic Women's Health Associates of Southern Nevada who allegedly performed the abortion procedure on Norris without confirming non-viability and without obtaining adequate diagnostic confirmation beforehand.

Women's Health Associates of Southern Nevada

The private clinic where Norris received care and where the abortion procedure was allegedly performed.

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What they’re saying

“If this happened to me, it's happening to women all the time. I want them held accountable.”

— Stacy Norris (KTNV)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Norris seeks damages related to emotional harm, medical negligence, and other losses, while asserting that the defendants' conduct fell below accepted medical standards. The defendants denied wrongdoing, and the case later settled shortly after the opening statements.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of healthcare providers accurately diagnosing pregnancy viability and the devastating consequences that can occur when they fail to do so. It underscores the need for greater accountability in the medical industry to ensure patients receive the proper standard of care and are not subjected to unnecessary and potentially harmful procedures.