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Police: Fist Fight Between Great Grandmothers In Hospital Maternity Ward

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The birth of a baby brought out the worst in two great-grandmothers after they came to blows in the maternity ward.

Police say first words were exchanged, and then fists, until the great-grandmothers were kicked out of the hospital.

It happened at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital.

The criminal complaint says a great grandmother allegedly started a fight all because of a comment that was made by another relative.

The incident happened on August 31 in Brighton Township.

According to the criminal complaint, Shirley Irvin, 72, of Enon Valley, was waiting for her great grandkids to be born.

Her grandson is the father of the twins.

Other relatives were in the waiting room with her including Carole Alberts, the great grandmother of the woman giving birth.

The complaint says Alberts made a comment to her daughter stating that she was worried about her great grand babies.

Irvin overheard the comment.

Alberts says Irvin approached her and they started arguing.

Alberts says Irvin hit and shoved her in the upper part of her chest and arm, leaving a small mark on her arm.

The complaint says Alberts' daughter intervened, then Irvin swung and punched her on the left side of her head knocking her cochlear hearing implant off her head and onto the floor.

KDKA's Amy Wadas spoke to Irvin over the phone.

She tells me she was upset about what Alberts said about her grandson that day and it wasn't true.

She went on to say the incident did not happen the way it was told to police, and she didn't want to say anything else.

Wadas also reached out to Alberts but never got a hold of her.

Security asked all the women involved in the fight to leave the maternity ward, according to the complaint.

The great grandmother has been charged with simple assault and harassment.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.

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