Parkland Apologizes Over Autopsy

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - MaGuadalupe Soto is decorating for Christmas alone this year.

"I'm sad.  It's the first year we're going to be alone," said Soto, who lost her oldest daughter in March.

At Parkland Hospital's urging, Sonia Soto's parents signed off on a hospital autopsy to determine what illness had killed her.  But, they were later shocked to learn from the funeral home, Sonia's organs had been removed and kept by the hospital.  "It was a very big surprise," said Soto.

The family tried for seven months to find out what had happened.  But, they say the hospital told them they couldn't even have their daughter's medical records, unless they paid $1,150 for copies to be made.

So, the family turned to CBS 11 News.  "Definitely, the Channel 11 story got the attention of Parkland Hospital," said attorney Domingo Garcia, who is representing the family.

Garcia said within days of beginning our investigation, the hospital sat down with the family to explain Sonia's organs had been cremated.  Since our story aired, the hospital has also turned over Sonia's medical records.  And, it sent the family a written apology.

"We regret there was a miscommunication regarding our procedures for organ removal and retention during autopsy. We understand this was not clearly communicated to you... and sincerely apologize for that."

The Sotos, though, say they're not finished fighting.  "If you look at what the Sotos signed, it's very ambiguous," said Garcia.

He says the family wants Parkland to make its autopsy consent forms easier to understand and more similar to a sample form provided by the College of American Pathologists.

Click here to see the Parkland form.

Click here to see the sample form.

The sample form specifically mentions that organs may be removed and retained, then asks a family to specify any limitations it wants on the autopsy.

Parkland Hospital declined to comment, but Garcia hopes it will eventually change its policy.  "I'm hopeful that media attention that originally aired on Channel 11 will break the code of silence at Parkland," said Garcia.

The Sotos, meanwhile, say they just want to spare other families their pain.  "Hopefully what happened to us won't happen to other people," said Soto.