Premature Birth After Mother’s Death – Georgia Case
In a tragic case, a Georgia woman, Adriana Smith, declared brain dead, delivered her baby, Chance, prematurely. Smith, 31, was on life support when doctors performed a C-section due to her medical crisis. teh baby, born at approximately six months, currently battles in the neonatal intensive care unit. Legal questions arose, tied to georgia’s abortion laws, impacting the arduous decision to keep Smith on life support initially. Attorney General Chris Carr clarified the law did not mandate this. The family now grapples with grief while focusing on Chance’s health. News Directory 3 has the latest on this developing story, offering insight into the complexities surrounding premature birth after a mother’s death, and the subsequent legal and ethical considerations. Discover what’s next as the family navigates this heartbreaking situation.
Georgia Woman Declared Brain Dead Delivers Baby
Updated June 17,2025
ATLANTA—A Georgia woman who was declared brain dead in February has delivered her baby,according to her mother,April Newkirk. Adriana Smith, 31, had been on life support since her medical crisis.
The baby, named Chance, was born prematurely via an emergency cesarean section, WXIA-TV reported monday. at approximately six months gestation, Chance weighed 1 pound, 13 ounces at birth and is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit. Newkirk told the station that Chance is “fighting” and expected to recover,requesting prayers for the infant.
Newkirk recounted that Smith experienced severe headaches months prior and sought treatment at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. After receiving medication, she was discharged. The following morning, Smith’s boyfriend found her gasping for air, prompting a 911 call. Doctors at Emory University Hospital discovered blood clots in her brain, leading to the declaration of brain death. At the time, Smith was eight weeks pregnant.
Smith was a nurse at Emory, according to Newkirk. She also has a 7-year-old son.Her family, joined by advocacy groups, recently celebrated her 31st birthday. Newkirk saeid Smith will be taken off life support Tuesday.
The associated Press has contacted Emory for comment regarding the decision to deliver the baby and has also attempted to reach Newkirk.
Smith’s family stated that Emory doctors initially cited Georgia law, which bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected (around six weeks), as the reason for not removing life support. However, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued a statement clarifying that the law does not mandate keeping a brain-dead woman on life support.
Carr stated,”Removing life support is not an action ‘with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy.'”
Newkirk expressed her grief, telling WXIA, “I’m her mother. I shouldn’t be burying my daughter. My daughter should be burying me.”
what’s next
The family is now focused on Chance’s care and recovery in the neonatal intensive care unit, while also preparing for Adriana Smith to be taken off life support.