Meritus welcomes first baby of 2024!

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The first baby born in 2024 in Washington County arrived in the evening of New Year’s Day.

Elsie Hayes, a girl, was born at 5:50 p.m. to Caihua Lei and Cole Hayes of Catawba, S.C.

Elsie weighed in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and was 21 inches long.

As is customary with Meritus Health's first baby of the new year, the family received a basket of baby care products and other gifts.

In 2023, Meritus Medical Center helped bring 1,801 new babies into the world, including 21 sets of twins.