Son of Georgia Woman Who Gave Birth While Brain Dead Is ‘Underdeveloped,’ Still Hospitalized: ‘Not Coming Home Soon’

Nearly six months after Adriana Smith’s baby, Chance, was born, their family says his health is not good: “Continue to pray”

The son of a Georgia woman who gave birth nearly four months after she was declared brain dead while pregnant is not doing well, the family has said.

Adriana Smith — a registered nurse from Atlanta — was declared brain dead in February after suffering multiple blood clots in her brain, PEOPLE previously reported.

According to local TV station 11Alive, Smith was around eight weeks pregnant at the time, and was kept alive on life support due to Georgia’s ban on abortion after six weeks gestation. It was enacted after the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Smith’s baby boy, Chance, weighed around 1 lb., 13 oz., and was taken to the NICU after he was born on June 13 via emergency Cesarean section.

Now, nearly six months later, Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, has given an update on the baby’s health, revealing that he will be transferred to a new hospital as he continues to fight for his life.

“It’s holiday season and I’m very down,” she wrote in a Nov. 24 post on GoFundMe. “Chance is 11 pounds, still in the nic unit and will not be coming home soon.”

“He’s going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health and I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for you prays and help,” she said. “Continue to pray because God has the final say so.”

In October, Newkirk shared photos of Chance and said he was growing but his lungs were very underdeveloped, causing breathing problems.

Smith’s case received national attention because it presented a legal gray area surrounding abortion laws.

Following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, Georgia enacted a ban on abortion after six weeks gestation. According to law, “no abortion shall be performed if the unborn child has a detectable human heartbeat except in the event of a medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy.”

In the state, “medical emergency” is defined as “a condition in which an abortion is necessary in order to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”

Doctors reportedly told Smith’s family that because she was brain dead, and no longer considered at risk, they were legally required to maintain life support until the fetus reached viability.

At the time, Newkirk told 11Alive that keeping Smith alive despite her being brain dead was “torture.”

“I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there,” she said.

Nearly six months after Adriana Smith’s baby, Chance, was born, their family says his health is not good: “Continue to pray”

The son of a Georgia woman who gave birth nearly four months after she was declared brain dead while pregnant is not doing well, the family has said.

Adriana Smith — a registered nurse from Atlanta — was declared brain dead in February after suffering multiple blood clots in her brain, PEOPLE previously reported.

According to local TV station 11Alive, Smith was around eight weeks pregnant at the time, and was kept alive on life support due to Georgia’s ban on abortion after six weeks gestation. It was enacted after the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Smith’s baby boy, Chance, weighed around 1 lb., 13 oz., and was taken to the NICU after he was born on June 13 via emergency Cesarean section.

Now, nearly six months later, Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, has given an update on the baby’s health, revealing that he will be transferred to a new hospital as he continues to fight for his life.

“It’s holiday season and I’m very down,” she wrote in a Nov. 24 post on GoFundMe. “Chance is 11 pounds, still in the nic unit and will not be coming home soon.”

“He’s going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health and I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for you prays and help,” she said. “Continue to pray because God has the final say so.”

In October, Newkirk shared photos of Chance and said he was growing but his lungs were very underdeveloped, causing breathing problems.

Smith’s case received national attention because it presented a legal gray area surrounding abortion laws.

Following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, Georgia enacted a ban on abortion after six weeks gestation. According to law, “no abortion shall be performed if the unborn child has a detectable human heartbeat except in the event of a medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy.”

In the state, “medical emergency” is defined as “a condition in which an abortion is necessary in order to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”

Doctors reportedly told Smith’s family that because she was brain dead, and no longer considered at risk, they were legally required to maintain life support until the fetus reached viability.

At the time, Newkirk told 11Alive that keeping Smith alive despite her being brain dead was “torture.”

“I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there,” she said.