Parents sue for $3 million after wrong baby cremated

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Parents are suing for $3 million after they say they were given the wrong baby's cremated ashes.

The lawsuit filed last week says Norma Arellano and Sergio Maldonado were given the ashes of a baby girl instead of their son, who died five days after his premature birth.

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center chief executive Janice Burger said in a statement emailed to the Oregonian/OregonLive that changes have been made to prevent similar mistakes.

She said everyone at Providence is deeply sorry.

Hospital spokesman Gary Walker said the babies' similar names contributed to the mix-up.

St. Vincent's, the Gable Funeral Chapel and First Call Plus of Oregon Mortuary Services are named in the lawsuit.

The chapel and mortuary service declined to comment.