ROLLA, MO (KCTV) -
Stephanie Maylee excitedly shared the progress of her pregnancy on her Facebook page and her eager anticipation for the birth of her baby boy.
That wonderful day arrived Saturday when she gave birth. She was later discharged from the hospital.
Tragically, she died two days later in the waiting room of the hospital where her son was still a patient.
The Rolla Police Department is now working to determine exactly how the 25-year-old Rolla woman died in a Phelps County Regional Medical Center waiting room.
Preliminary results from the autopsy showed that Maylee died from an overdose of prescription drugs, according to KYTV. Investigators don't know whether the overdose was intentional or accidental, but foul play is not suspected.
The police department said officers were contacted at 10:01 a.m. Monday about Maylee's death.
Hospital officials did not immediately respond to an email from KCTV seeking comment.
However, KMOV-TV reported that Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Denbo said Maylee was discharged on Saturday. She came to the hospital on Sunday to visit her son in the nursery. She spent the night in a hospital's private waiting room for family members that includes a sleeping area.
She was found dead the next day when her father came to visit, KMOV reported. Her father said his daughter was taking pain medication after her C-section and he feared she has taken too many pills.
His fears were apparently realized.
The preliminary findings will need to be confirmed by toxicology and pathology tests that will take some time to complete.
Denbo said hospital officials have no record of the baby's father or anyone accompanying Maylee to and from the hospital. KMOV didn't report if hospital policy allows a new mother to drive herself from the hospital following discharge.
Denbo was not aware of any problems Maylee had during surgery or medications she may have been taking, KMOV reported.
Anyone with information regarding Maylee's death is asked to call Rolla Police Department Detective Robert Jones at 573-308-1213.
Some of Maylee's Facebook posts are especially poignant in the wake of her untimely death.
"My baby boy's frail immune system means he's going to be dependent on my breastmilk (full of my antibodies) for the first 2-3 years of life," said one post.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Refresh this page for updates on this developing story.
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