US4 min(s) read
Family gives major update on baby after brain dead woman was kept alive to deliver son
The family of Adriana Smith, a woman from Atlanta, Georgia, who was tragically declared brain dead and kept alive to deliver her son, has provided an update on her baby boy, Chance.
The 31-year-old's heartbreaking story began when she experienced severe headaches early in her pregnancy last year.
Seeking medical advice, she was reportedly given medication and sent home. “They gave her some medication, but they didn’t do any tests. No CT scan,” said her mother, April Newkirk, to 11Alive.
“If they had done that or kept her overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented," she added.
Smith's condition worsened overnight when her boyfriend found her gasping for air and making gurgling noises in her sleep. He rushed her to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain.
Doctors prepared for emergency surgery, but it was already too late. Smith was declared brain dead on February 19, 2025, per PEOPLE.
Despite the devastating prognosis, she remained on a ventilator to allow doctors time to perform a C-section and deliver her son prematurely.
The heartbreaking event occurred in Georgia, where the state’s controversial "heartbeat bill" bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, unless it qualifies as a "medical emergency" or the pregnancy is deemed “medically futile”.
Due to this law, Smith's medical team made the difficult decision to keep her alive long enough to deliver her baby, Chance, before life support was ultimately withdrawn and she passed away, with her funeral took place shortly after.
The late woman's mom launched a GoFundMe titled "Help Adriana’s Family During This Heartbreaking Journey," which has raised over $614,000.
Through this platform, Newkirk has kept supporters updated on the baby's progress, sharing both heartwarming and emotional moments from the NICU.
In an update shared on February 19, 2026, Newkirk announced that after months of care, Chance had finally come home and met his big brother, seven-year-old Chase. However, the baby is still receiving oxygen support.
"First of all, I want to tell everyone thank you for your continued support and prayers. I have an announcement to make, look who's home," she wrote. "Chance is home doing well, still on oxygen. I won't go into details, but keep praying - Chase was so happy to see Chance it made me cry."
The following day, Newkirk shared another picture of Chance with the caption: “He's a pleasant baby and happy, look at that smile.”
Honoring Smith's Memory
As the family continues to navigate their grief, Smith's legacy is also being honored through a public campaign.
On the first anniversary of her death, her mother announced that ten billboards featuring her daughter's face would be placed throughout Atlanta to keep her memory alive.
"February 9th 2026 is, one year of the tragic loss of my daughter, Adriana Smith, there will be 10 billboards digital place throughout Atlanta, Georgia, so people don't forget her," Newkirk wrote on Facebook.
"I thank everyone for their support. This is a very hard time for me and my family, and I just want to say thank you for all the prayers and the messages that you have sent. Please Please vote so no one else hurts. We need changes with the laws in Georgia," she added.
Our thoughts continue to be with Smith's loved ones.