Pregnant Inmate Surprised with Baby Shower in Jail by Sheriff’s Office Before Giving Birth to Son

An inmate at a Florida detention facility is sharing her gratitude after sheriff’s office staff supported her through pregnancy and childbirth.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said Taylor, who is incarcerated at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Thursday, Dec. 11.

According to the post, the newborn — Kingston Ryder — was born full term, weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. Officials said both mother and baby were doing well and that Taylor was “in good spirits.”

The sheriff’s office noted that Taylor was about six months pregnant when she was arrested in August. A judge later sentenced her to the jail’s SMART Program, where, authorities said, she has been working to make changes in her life.

SMART stands for “Successful Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Treatment,” according to a previous news release.

During Taylor’s incarceration, the sheriff’s office said Kingston will be cared for by a family in Vermont that has been granted temporary guardianship.

Officials said Taylor is expected to continue the SMART program and may be released next year. They added that, if she successfully completes the program, she will be reunited with her son and transition into outpatient treatment, which would allow her to care for him while continuing rehabilitation and treatment for substance use disorder.

Ahead of the birth, deputies and members of the SMART team also organized a surprise baby shower, the sheriff’s office said.

“Master Detention Deputy Justine Crego and Deputy Danielle Boyer went all out by purchasing gifts with their own money,” the office wrote, adding that Sheriff Rick Staly views efforts like these as a way to help people reenter the community as healthier, more stable parents.

Taylor told Fox 35 Orlando she received “everything you could possibly think of,” including items such as a car seat and hygiene products. She also said the program helped her “break harmful patterns, learn new skills and prepare for stable lives after release.”

“I was lucky enough to get into a program they have, which has been incredible and is changing my life,” Taylor said, per Fox 35 Orlando. “It’s going to be changing my son’s life for the better.”

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.