A devastated mom is grieving over the death of her baby girl who was born both a quadruplet and an identical twin.
Ashley Ness, 36, gave birth to two sets of identical twins six months ago - an event so rare that it was described by a gynecology and obstetrics expert as "one in a million", per People.
The quadruplets were 12 weeks premature, having been born on July 28, 2022. Chesley, one of the four babies, endured the most health issues. Ultimately, she would die just six months after her birth.
"Just everything is happening to her," Ashley of Taunton, Mass., told the outlet on January 25. "And she takes it like a champ. She opens her little eyes and just stares at you, like, 'Hi.' She doesn't look miserable. Just like, 'Okay, mom, I'm going to be fine.' "
"It breaks my heart," Ashley added.
The infant sadly passed away on February 22, with the grieving mom sharing in a statement to People: "My beautiful daughter, Chesley May, was called home to Heaven after a courageous six months of life.
"Her passing leaves a huge emptiness in the hearts of all of us; her parents, her siblings, her family and the NICU team at Mass General hospital."
Ashley's baby daughter had multiple operations and never made it out of the hospital, she revealed in her statement.
She went on to say that despite "weighing only one pound seven ounces," Chesley was so "mighty".
"Day in and day out she fought and fought and continued to beat the odds," Ashley went on. "Her strength was unwavering. Each time she overcame an obstacle we were so excited thinking that finally all the quads would be home together soon. We were positive that she would live a long and healthy life."
She continued: "We will forever miss her laughing face, her funny little air leak sounds, and the sparkle in her big beautiful eyes. We are so proud of her and know that she is at peace."
The conception of quadruplets and identical twins simultaneously takes place when two eggs are fertilized, with each egg dividing again, per Dr. Ahmet Baschat, director of the Center for Fetal Therapy and a professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Chesley's identical twin Chatham was discharged from the hospital on October 4. The other two quadruplets, baby boys Chance and Cheston, were allowed to go home on October 17 and 18.
Ashley also has a nine-year-old daughter, Chanel, and her partner Val Bettencourt has two sons, 11-year-old Isaiah and eight-year-old Zayden.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the little ones receive "round-the-clock care for most of their first year."
The description for the fundraiser, which was set up before the little ones were born, reads: "Ashley and her boyfriend are thrilled and overwhelmed. They already have four children between them. The expenses, even now, are adding up. They need help. LOTS OF HELP!
"She lives on a part-time hairdresser's income, and he's a small engine mechanic. They will need lots of support as quadruplets require hospital trips, home care, lots of diapers, and other necessities.
"The average cost to raise one child is 17k per year. The average cost for quadruplets is above 68k. These expenses do not include specialized treatments for preemies, which they will be."
It has raised more than half its goal of $45,000 at the time of writing.
Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time.
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