A Texas mother, known online as Allie Rae, has ignited widespread outrage after she was filmed unplugging her newborn’s monitor in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to summon a nurse for a turkey sandwich. The shocking incident, which was live-streamed on TikTok, has prompted an investigation into her actions.
Live-streaming controversy
In the viral footage, Allie Rae can be seen tampering with the medical equipment monitoring her infant daughter. Allegedly seeking attention from nurses who were not present, she stated, “No, you’re fine. It’s not an emergency,” as a nurse rushed in to respond to the alarm triggered by her actions. When asked about her motivations, she casually replied, “I was just going to see if you could bring me a turkey sandwich.”
In a follow-up video, Rae claimed that she had been advised to unplug the monitor if she needed assistance. However, this assertion has been met with skepticism from viewers and healthcare professionals alike. Many have condemned her behavior as “irresponsible” and “dangerous.”
Nurses speak out
Abby Lynn, a bedside nurse, took to TikTok to denounce Rae’s actions. “I’m telling you with 100 percent confidence there’s absolutely no way in hell any nurse told her to unplug one of the baby’s monitors,” she asserted. Abby emphasized that even under normal circumstances, a nurse would never instruct a parent to interfere with vital monitoring equipment.
The situation escalated when Rae was seen unplugging the monitor again in another video—this time to request a drink while a nurse was already in the room. As comments flooded in from concerned viewers, Rae appeared dismissive of their worries. “You guys are so annoying. I can’t get my own drink when I’m holding her,” she retorted.
Backlash and consequences
The backlash against Rae intensified after these incidents, leading her to delete her TikTok account. Abby urged nurses working with Rae to report her behavior to authorities, expressing concern for the child’s safety. “She’s already showing negligent and careless behavior. If she’s going to act like that while the baby is in hospital, God only knows how it’s gonna be at home,” Abby warned.
TikTok user Anthony Blackwell, who has nearly half a million followers, reported the incident to hospital authorities and confirmed that an investigation is currently underway. He initially believed the incident occurred in Canada but later clarified that it took place at a hospital in Webster, Texas.
Investigation ongoing
The hospital involved has not publicly commented on the specifics of Rae’s case due to patient privacy laws but has stated that their care teams do not instruct patients or guardians to unhook any medical devices. Such actions are considered serious violations of care protocols.
As this story continues to develop, many are left wondering what consequences Rae may face for her actions and how they might affect her parenting moving forward. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to medical protocols in sensitive environments like the NICU.
