Marshall Health Network welcomes first baby of 2026

Marshall Health Network – Cabell Huntington Hospital welcomed the first baby born in the New Year on January 1, 2026, at 12:23 a.m.

Jadon Hayes and Rachael Hayes welcomed a baby girl, Lennon, weighing 6 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 21 inches in length.

Both mother and baby are reported to be in good health. As is tradition for the New Year’s baby, the family was gifted a basket filled with parenthood essentials such as clothing, bathing supplies, baby books and more.

Cabell Huntington Hospital is honored to share in this special moment and offers its heartfelt congratulations to the family. 

”We are thrilled to celebrate the first birth of the year with baby Lennon and her family,” said Melanie Akers, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, vice president, Women’s and Children’s Services at MHN. “Moments like these truly represent hope and new beginnings. We wish the family much happiness as they welcome their new bundle of joy into the world.”

With more than 2,600 births each year, Cabell Huntington Hospital cares for mothers and babies from 38 counties throughout the Tri-State area of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, and performs the most deliveries in the state of West Virginia. To learn more about The Maternity Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital, visit www.cabellhuntington.org/maternity.