METRO DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two families in metro Detroit are ringing the new year with a new baby, with the Detroit Medical Center and Corewell Health East announcing the first babies born in the area in 2026.
Corewell Health tells us that Alayna was born at Beaumont Troy around 12:15 a.m. She weighs eight pounds, 3.8 oz and is 20.5 inches long. We're told that Alayna is named after her maternal grandfather, Allen and she shares a middle name with her mom, both grandmas, and an aunt. Congrats to parents Ashley and Andrew Dunbar of Rochester Hills.
We're told that Baby Jakai was born at 12:34 a.m. at the DMC Hutzel Women's Hospital. He was born at eight pounds and two ounces, and is 20 ½ inches long. Congrats to parents Rakiah and Jarmel of Detroit.
“It’s exciting. It’s a precious moment. Definitely a new experience being in labor from the other one’s that I had," Rakiah said. “He’s baby number six. The last of the bunch. He makes the 4th boy and we have two girls. Their ages are 17, 12, 8 and 5.”
“We’ve got a basketball team and substitute," Jarmel said.
Patient care tech Katrina Bennett, who has seen a lot of New Year babies in her 28-year career, spoke to our Jolie Sherman
“It’s a different level of excitement every time, it’s a different level of excitement just to see the families, and there so happy to have a new year’s baby, and the staff is excited," Katrina said.
Both babies and both mothers are in good health.
Trinity Health also announced the first babies born in 2026 at its hospital facilities. At Trinity Health Ann Arbor, Baby Gill was born at 2:13 a.m. She weighs seven pounds and five ounces. Congrats to Harjot and Dick Gill of Superior Township.
At Trinity Health Livonia, Baby Crouch was born at 3:30 a.m. He weighs six pounds, 12 ounces. Congrats to Chelsea and Parker Crouch.
At Trinity Health Oakland, Baby Kashton was born at 5:06 a.m. He weighs eight pounds, nine ounces. Congrats to Kaylee Crane and Jereme Hayes of Pontiac.
Trinity Health tells us that 10,317 were delivered at Trinity hospitals in 2025.
