👨👩👧 Who: Merritt Taylor, born to Jordan and Steele Taylor
🍼 What: First baby born in Walton County in 2026
⏰ When: 1:16 a.m. on January 1, 2026
🏥 Where: Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Birth Place
🎉 Why: To celebrate the first new life welcoming the New Year in Walton County
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast’s Family Birth Place celebrated the New Year with the county’s first baby of 2026, born just after midnight.
Merritt Taylor made her debut at 1:16 a.m. on January 1 at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. She was born to Jordan and Steele Taylor, marking a memorable start to the year for the family.
Merritt’s arrival also came with a surprise. Her parents chose not to find out the baby’s gender ahead of time, and Jordan Taylor said she had been convinced she was having a boy.
Instead, the New Year brought a baby girl.
At birth, Merritt weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and hospital staff shared in the celebration of welcoming the first baby born in Walton County in 2026.
We love to bring you, and all of your neighbors, the news for free – it’s a part of who we are. But just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s cheap.
Your sustaining donation of just $10 per month helps us keep the powerful accountable and make the mortgage on time. If you notice you keep coming back for more stories from us – please consider supporting our work so we can do it for the long haul (and not be homeless).
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
