SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — While the rest of the Mid-South was ringing in the new year, Tinesha Floyd was preparing for a life-changing arrival. At 3:42 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto officially welcomed its first baby of the year: a healthy girl named Naiari Floyd.
Naiari entered the world weighing 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces. For her mother, Tinesha, the timing was a joyful surprise that made the holiday one to remember.
Tinesha Floyd and baby Naiari. (Baptist-DeSoto photo)
“It is always a blessing to welcome the first baby of the year at Baptist DeSoto,” said Brian Hogan, CEO and administrator of the hospital. “It fills us with hope and excitement for the year ahead. Congratulations to the family!”
To mark the occasion, the hospital presented the Floyd family with a celebratory gift package. The bundle included a baby bathtub stocked with diapers, towels, and essential bath supplies to help the family transition into their first days at home.
A gift basket was presented to Tinesha and Naiari Floyd on the occasion of being the first baby born at Baptist-DeSoto. (Hospital photo)
Methodist Olive Branch Hospital Thursday announced its New Year’s baby arrived about an hour and a half after the first birth at Baptist-DeSoto.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
