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
Sly Dunbar, Sly and Robbie reggae drummer, dies at age 73

Legendary Reggae Drummer Sly Dunbar of Sly and Robbie Passes Away at 73

Renowned Jamaican drummer Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, known for his work with the…
Chicago weather: Bitter cold remains after weekend snow storm; O'Hare, Midway getting back to normal after weekend cancellations

Chicago Weather Update: Frigid Conditions Persist Post-Snowstorm as O’Hare and Midway Airports Recover from Weekend Disruptions

CHICAGO (WLS) — After a bout of snowfall, the Chicago area finds…
Italy’s Meloni rebukes Trump remarks on NATO’s role in Afghanistan

Italy’s Meloni Challenges Trump: Defends NATO’s Crucial Role in Afghanistan

NATO tensions grow amid Trump’s push for Greenland Fox News’ senior national…
When was the last time the Patriots and the Seahawks went to the Super Bowl?

Patriots vs. Seahawks: Revisiting Their Last Super Bowl Showdown

The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks are preparing to face…
TikTok deal could be finalized this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says

Power Outage Disrupts TikTok Services, Users Report Major Issues

The disruption follows closely on the heels of ByteDance’s recent deal to…
West Virginia librarian arrested for allegedly recruiting people on social media to assassinate Trump

West Virginia Librarian Detained for Alleged Plot to Recruit Assassins Against Trump on Social Media

A librarian from West Virginia is facing serious charges after allegedly using…
Where is Bush? Bill Clinton joins Obama to condemn Minneapolis

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama Unite in Condemnation of Minneapolis Situation; George W. Bush’s Position Unclear

In a powerful rebuke of the Trump administration, former President Bill Clinton…
USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier Strike Group makes move amid threat from Iran

USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Mobilizes in Response to Iranian Threats

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has made its way into the…