Paramedic mourns infant son as hospital decision sparks concern among coworkers

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Harney County paramedic is grieving the loss of her infant son while raising concerns about a decision by her employer that has left coworkers upset and searching for answers.

On June 2, just after 4:30 a.m., Stephanie Sell, a paramedic, with Harney District Hospital, received a frantic call from her significant other about their son, Weston.

“He broke the news to me… our son is gone. Our son is dead,” she said.

Stephanie told her significant other to call 911. The responding crew would include her own coworkers, including paramedic Darren Binder.

“By the time my significant other had woken… it was already too late,” Stephanie said. “There was nothing for us as an ambulance that we could do.”

Weston was just shy of four months old.

Stephanie’s coworker and field training officer (FTO) Necole Ontko, said there were clear medical signs the infant had died hours earlier.

“One of the things that Weston had was what we call lividity… it leaves like a purplish line on the outside of the body,” Ontko said. “He was also very, very cold… he did also have rigor mortis… which means that they have been dead far too long to be able to attempt any kind of resuscitative efforts.”

In the days following Weston’s death, Ontko and other EMS staff worked to support Stephanie and her family. Ontko coordinated with neighboring agencies in Lakeview and John Day to cover Harney District Hospital’s EMS services for several hours so staff could attend the funeral.

Multiple agencies, including Burns Police and Fire, Hines first responders, Oregon State Police, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, participated in the funeral procession.

But one request stood out.

Stephanie’s coworkers asked hospital leadership to allow an ambulance to be included in the procession — something paramedic Darren Binder described as a longstanding tradition within the first responder community.

“It’s a really serious thing… and it is a universal thing to have a procession for a first responder or first responder-adjacent deaths,” Binder said.

The hospital denied that request.

“The information that made it back to me was that they were concerned that by allowing the use of ambulance for the procession would open the door for other members in the community to request ambulance procession for their loved ones,” Binder said.

Ontko said the decision left staff confused and upset. She said she approached hospital CEO Bob Gomes directly to ask for reconsideration.

“I gave him my spiel and he said: 'the answer’s no,' very sternly,” Ontko said. “I asked him why… he said, ‘I don’t have to tell you why.’ He came around his desk… and put his finger in my face.”

Ontko said Gomes later apologized for taking credit for getting Lakeview and John Day crews to cover the Harney District Hospital EMS staff, but did not reverse the decision.

Stephanie believes ongoing tension between hospital leadership and employees — who unionized earlier this year — may have contributed to the outcome.

Weeks after Weston’s death, the hospital issued a statement to staff and to KTVZ News, expressing sympathy while acknowledging concerns about the decision.

“Harney District Hospital extends its deepest condolences to our EMS colleague and family following the heartbreaking loss of their child,” the statement read in part. “We are aware of concerns raised regarding the decision not to utilize a district ambulance as part of the funeral procession. We are sorry that this decision has been painful for many and has contributed to feelings of disappointment during an already difficult time.”

For Stephanie, the loss remains overwhelming.

“Losing a child is a different experience… they aren't supposed to go before we are,” she said. “Some days are easier than others. It just kind of comes in waves.”

Marissa Binder, the wife of Stephanie's co-worker, Darren Binder, has set up a gofundme for Stephanie and her family.