Louisiana mother posts photos of stillborn son, receives criticism, Facebook warning

WARNING: Story contains images which may not be suitable for all viewers. Discretion is advised.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and to a Jennings, Louisiana mother, the photos of her stillborn son she posted on Facebook were deemed “graphic” and ”violent.”

Rosalyn Racca gave birth to her baby boy, Samuel Tate, on Aug. 29, 2014. However, during a routine checkup, Racca was told by a doctor her unborn son’s heart wasn’t beating and that he would be stillborn.

“[Tests] showed [Samuel Tate] had probably passed about two weeks before that day,” Racca told KPLC News.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "[Tests] showed [Samuel Tate] had probably passed about two weeks before that day," Racca told <a href="http://www.kplctv.com/story/30164909/mother-will-continue-sharing-photos-of-her-stillborn-son-despite-backlash" target="_blank">KPLC News</a>.

It was heartbreaking news for the mother of four.

“Everything was there. He had ten toes and ten fingers.  He looked exactly like my husband,” Racca added.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Everything was there. He had ten toes and ten fingers.  He looked exactly like my husband," Racca added.

So like any mother, she took photos of her child to remember him, something that was extra important to her.

READ MORE: Stillbirth and infant loss: Your stories

Before sharing the pictures, Racca made sure the photos were edited and in black and white.

For Samuel Tate’s one-year anniversary, Racca decided to share more photos of her son, this time she showed his face.

“The day before, I put a warning on my status that I was going to be showing these pictures of him,” Racca said, “because I knew that I did have family members who didn’t care to see him.”

A day after posting the pictures, Facebook allegedly sent her a message, warning her to remove the “inappropriate content.”

“I was asked to either delete them or change them to private.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I was asked to either delete them or change them to private."

Racca isn’t removing the photos of Samuel Tate even though she was told her account could become deactivated by refusing to take Facebook’s warning.

READ MORE: ‘I’m still a mom’: After daughter was stillborn, Surrey woman wants to help others

“With all the things that are acceptable on social media, I thought that this was really sad,” told Racca to KPLC.

Samuel Tate is still Racca’s Facebook profile picture.

“The whole reason I was sharing this was to celebrate his life and he was my son,” Racca told KPLC.  “That’s all I see when I look at his pictures, I don’t see something barbaric or graphic.”