By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The early birth of Hays Medical Center’s Baby New Year 2015 suggests a Facebook status could have a lot of power.

Ashlee Phillips, 18, Ness City, was not due to give birth until mid-January, but early on New Year’s Day, she wrote a Facebook status on her profile — “My New Year’s wish is to go into labor.”

“And then I did, so that was pretty cool,” Phillips smiled, as she stroked her daughter’s cheek.

Baby Evelynn Janae Rivera came into the world Jan. 1, 2015, at 10:53 a.m. — a healthy 18.5-inch, 6-pound, 2.5-ounce baby girl.

Both Ashlee and Evelynn’s dad, Alex Rivera, 22, also of Ness City, say they are excited about the birth of their daughter and think she will like having a New Year’s Day birthday.

“I think she will come to appreciate it,” Phillips said.

“Look, she is already famous,” joked Phillips’ older sister Jessica Lang, Hays, who was visiting with her kids to meet their cousin for the first time Friday morning.