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.