Baby of brain-dead pregnant woman kept alive under abortion law has been delivered, family says
Share and Follow


The funeral for the Georgia woman who was brain-dead but kept alive by ventilators because of the state’s abortion law was held Saturday in an Atlanta suburb, NBC News affiliate WXIA of Atlanta reported.

The funeral took place at Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, WXIA reported, and drew a crowd that included a number of Smith’s fellow nurses and other members of the public.

riana Smith, who turned 31 in June, was declared brain-dead in February after a CT scan found multiple blood clots in her brain, her mother, April Newkirk, told WXIA earlier this year.

She was nine weeks pregnant when her boyfriend rushed her to the hospital after he woke up to find her gasping for air and making what he described as gargling noises, Newkirk told WXIA.

Because of Georgia’s strict abortion law — known as the LIFE Act, which makes abortion illegal after six weeks of pregnancy — Smith was kept alive until her child could be born and survive on his own, according to WXIA.

The baby was born prematurely on June 13, weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces, Newkirk told WXIA at the time.

WXIA reported Saturday that Smith was taken off life support days after her son, Chance, was born. The baby is still in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“He’s expected to be OK,” Newkirk told the station earlier this month. “He’s just fighting.”

Smith also has an older son, Chase.

Smith’s funeral Saturday drew family, friends, community members and peers who wanted to honor her life.

The Atlanta Metropolitan Nursing Honor Guard performed a tribute to relieve Smith of her duties as a nurse, WXIA reported, and many who attended the funeral carried white roses.

“I’m thankful for everything that she’s taught me — her love, her kindness, her wisdom,” Smith’s younger sister, Naya, said, according to WXIA. “Family meant everything to her. So I hope that I can follow in her footsteps.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Tiny 'Survivor' island will start taking Trump deportees

Remote Island Prepares to Welcome Deportees Under Trump Policy

The small Pacific island nation of Palau has entered an agreement to…
Airport footage shows mother taking four abducted children to Europe

Surveillance Reveals Mother Escorting Four Abducted Children to Europe via Airport

A Utah mother has been spotted on airport security footage, serenely leading…
Times Square will mark America's 250th with special July ball drop

Times Square to Commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary with Special July Ball Drop

by: Brett Samuels, The Hill Posted: Dec 26, 2025 / 03:10 PM…
The signs YOU'RE spending today with a secret cocaine user

Revealed: Clues That Someone You Know Might Be Using Cocaine Secretly

As the door clicked shut behind me, a wave of relief washed…
Man dies after being stabbed in Moncrief Park neighborhood: JSO

Tragic Stabbing Incident Claims Life in Moncrief Park, Says JSO

Authorities have detained several individuals for questioning after a fatal stabbing on…
Factory boss gives 540 employees six-figure Christmas bonuses

Generous Factory Boss Surprises 540 Employees with Six-Figure Christmas Bonuses

Over 500 employees at a Louisiana manufacturing plant received substantial bonuses, amounting…
Matt Gaetz stunned after being quizzed by Tucker about dating AOC

Matt Gaetz Taken Aback by Tucker Carlson’s Inquiry on Dating Rumor with AOC

In a surprising turn of events, former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz found…
Israel FM accuses Palestinian Authority of aiding terror with ‘Pay-for-Slay’ after deadly attack

Israel Condemns Palestinian ‘Pay-for-Slay’ Program: Accusations of Terror Funding Stir Tensions

JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has vociferously condemned the Palestinian Authority…