A baby boy born to a brain-dead Georgia woman is still fighting for his life as he approaches six months old. His grandmother says he remains very sick and will need even more medical care.
The baby, named Chance, was delivered by emergency C-section on June 13. His mother, 30-year-old Adriana Smith, had collapsed in February with severe headaches. Doctors found several blood clots in her brain, and surgery left her brain-dead. At the time, she was only eight weeks pregnant.
Because of Georgia’s strict LIFE Act, which bans abortion once a heartbeat is detected, doctors kept Smith on life support so they could try to save the baby. Chance was born almost three months early, weighing just one pound and thirteen ounces. He has lived in the NICU since the day he was born and has struggled with underdeveloped lungs and other serious health issues.
Chance’s grandmother, April Newkirk, says he will soon be moved to another hospital for additional treatment. She shared that the situation has been very hard on the family, especially during the holidays. Still, she thanked the public for the kindness they’ve shown.
A GoFundMe page created to help with the enormous medical bills has raised more than $550,000. The state has not provided financial support, despite the circumstances being a result of its abortion laws.
Smith’s case has drawn national attention and renewed debate over abortion restrictions introduced after Roe v. Wade was overturned. An inquest and legal questions surrounding the case are still ongoing.
