Baby crib softly illuminated in nursery with stroller foreground and hospital logo backdrop.

Austin’s First 2026 Baby Born at 12:02 a.m. – Derek Sanchez

At a Glance

  • Derek Sanchez born at 12:02 a.m. at Ascension Seton Medical Center
  • Opal June Ixchel Cruz born at 12:05 a.m. at St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas
  • First two newborns of Austin in 2026
  • Why it matters: Marks Austin’s first births of the year and shows hospital activity right after midnight

On New Year’s Day, two hospitals in Austin recorded births within minutes of midnight, possibly making them the first births of 2026 in the city.

First Birth at Ascension Seton

Newborn Opal June Ixchel Cruz is weighed in a hospital setting with a medical scale and warm lighting

Derek Sanchez was delivered at 12:02 a.m. on January 1, weighing 5 lbs 5 oz.

  • Baby name: Derek Sanchez
  • Time: 12:02 a.m.
  • Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz

Second Birth at St. David’s

Opal June Ixchel Cruz followed at 12:05 a.m., weighing 5 lbs 4 oz.

Hospital Baby Time Weight
Ascension Seton Medical Center Derek Sanchez 12:02 a.m. 5 lbs 5 oz
St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas Opal June Ixchel Cruz 12:05 a.m. 5 lbs 4 oz

These births were recorded immediately after midnight, potentially marking Austin’s first births of 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Derek Sanchez’s birth at 12:02 a.m. was the earliest of the year.
  • Opal June Ixchel Cruz followed just three minutes later.
  • Both babies weighed just over five pounds.

The early-hour deliveries highlight a busy start to the year for Austin’s maternity hospitals.

Author

  • Brianna Q. Lockwood covers housing, development, and affordability for News of Austin, focusing on how growth reshapes neighborhoods. A UT Austin journalism graduate, she’s known for investigative reporting that follows money, zoning, and policy to reveal who benefits—and who gets displaced.

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