Georgia baby born after mother declared brain dead faces health struggles

The son of Adriana Smith, a Georgia nurse declared brain dead while pregnant, continues battling serious health challenges.

Smith’s baby boy, Chance, was delivered June 13 by emergency Cesarean section after nearly four months on life support.

He weighed 1 pound, 13 ounces at birth and was immediately admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Now, six months later, his grandmother says Chance remains hospitalized and will soon transfer to another facility for specialized care.

Adriana Smith’s Mother Appeals for Support

April Newkirk, Smith’s mother, posted a heartfelt update on GoFundMe during the holiday season.

She said Chance weighs 11 pounds but still requires intensive medical support and cannot come home soon.

“He’s going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health,” Newkirk wrote.

She thanked supporters for prayers and donations, adding, “God has the final say so.”

The GoFundMe campaign is still collecting donations to help cover Chance’s ongoing medical expenses and support the family.

Ongoing Medical Challenges for Adriana Smith’s Son

In October, Newkirk shared photos showing Chance’s growth but noted his lungs remain severely underdeveloped.

Doctors continue monitoring his breathing difficulties, which pose ongoing risks despite his weight gain.

The family says every day brings new challenges as Chance fights for survival in the NICU.

Case Highlights Legal Gray Area

Smith’s pregnancy drew national attention because it exposed complex questions about Georgia’s abortion laws.

She was declared brain dead in February after suffering multiple blood clots, Unheard Voices previously reported.

At eight weeks pregnant, she remained on life support due to Georgia’s ban on abortion after six weeks gestation. She was later taken off life support after given birth.

The law, enacted after Roe v. Wade’s 2022 overturn, requires maintaining pregnancies once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Doctors told Smith’s family they were legally obligated to keep her alive until the fetus reached viability.

Mother’s Painful Reflection

Newkirk previously described the ordeal as “torture,” saying her daughter’s body remained functioning though she was gone.

“I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there,” she told 11Alive earlier this year.

The family continues balancing grief for Smith with hope for Chance’s survival.

Read more on Adriana Smith

• Family honors Adriana Smith one year after death with Atlanta billboard campaign calling for Georgia law reform
• Adriana Smith taken off life support after baby delivered via emergency c-section
• Family says brain-dead Georgia mom delivers baby
• Georgia family seeks support after young mother declared brain dead, kept on life support due to pregnancy