Edmond Parents Sue After Daughter Dies in Surgery

NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- The parents of an Edmond Santa Fe student who died last year while undergoing an appendectomy have filed a lawsuit.

Heather Harkness, 17, died in September and her parents are suing Baptist hospital, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. According to her autopsy report a surgeon "nicked" Heather's artery, causing her to bleed to death.

"The family was told that this was routine, this was a piece of cake," the family's attorney, Steve Clark, said. "The doctors told the family that they were Heather's guardian angels, and about an hour and a half later, the doctors came out and told the family that Heather had died."

Officials at Integris Baptist said they cannot comment on pending litigation, but extend their thoughts and prayers to Heather's family.