A mom from Texas is now facing backlash after she allegedly unplugged her baby's NICU monitor to ask for a sandwich.
Allie Rae, the mother, was caught tampering with the equipment monitoring her infant baby with the aim of getting the attention of the nurses. When nurses responded to the alarm, Rae asked them to bring her "a turkey sandwich."
"No, you're fine. It's not an emergency," she told the responding nurses. "I was just going to see if you could bring me a turkey sandwich."
The responding nurse was heard off-camera suggesting that Rae could take a break so she could grab food. The mother, however, insisted the nurse be the one to deliver it to her.
It is unclear where Rae and her baby were staying. Rae livestreamed her actions on TikTok.
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Unplugging the Monitor a Second Time
Despite receiving backlash for her first video, Rae livestreamed a second time where she again unplugged the monitor to ask for a drink. It was noted that a nurse was already present in the NICU prior to the second incident.
Additionally, Rae defended her actions and said she was "told" to unplug the monitors when she needed something. She also mocked the comments of her livestream viewers who expressed concern, calling them "annoying."
"Now I'm going to have to stir her up because y'all want to cry about something," she added.
Rae has since deleted her TikTok account after facing intense backlash. Her actions are allegedly being investigated by police, per the New York Post.
Why You Should Never Tamper With NICU Monitors
Tampering with NICU monitors can have serious consequences, especially for highly vulnerable infants. These monitors are designed to track an infant's critical health parameters such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and respiratory function. Any alterations or disruptions to the monitors can lead to inaccurate readings, which may prevent healthcare providers from responding promptly to a baby's needs.
It is worth noting that NICU patients are often premature or critically ill. Even a brief delay in care can result in severe complications or worsen an infant's condition.
