A Kansas couple said their newborn daughter earned the nickname "Ellee" when she was born in a hospital elevator.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crystal Leming, 25, of Lecompton and her husband, Patrick, 35, said they set out for a hospital in Olathe when Crystal went into labor Feb. 18 but they ended up going to the closer Lawrence Memorial Hospital when it appeared the labor was progressing quickly, the Lawrence Journal-World reported Wednesday.

The Lemings said baby Alyssa Lynn Leming was born in a hospital elevator on the way to the delivery ward less than an hour after the start of serious contractions.

The couple said family members have dubbed Alyssa "Ellee" after the place of her birth.

"She has been marvelous and apparently already has a flair for the dramatic," Crystal Leming said.

Hospital officials said Alyssa was the first baby to be born in an elevator at the facility.