Family announces birth of brain-dead Georgia woman's son by C-section

Maya T. Prabhu, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jun 17, 2025

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ATLANTA — The family of a pregnant metro Atlanta woman who’s been kept on life support since February announced the baby has been born via emergency cesarean section.

Adriana Smith made international headlines last month after her mother, April Newkirk, said the hospital told her the state’s abortion law required Smith to remain on life support because she was pregnant. Newkirk later clarified the family intended to keep Smith on life support until the baby was born.

The family decided to allow the hospital to remove Smith’s life support Tuesday.

Newkirk said on Monday that Smith’s baby, whom they’ve named Chance, was born Friday and is now in the NICU. She said Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces. Newkirk had previously said they hoped to deliver Chance in August.

“He’s expected to be OK,” Newkirk said. “He’s just fighting. We just want prayers for him. Just keep praying for him. He’s here now.”

Smith’s family spoke during a private service Sunday before allowing press into the Park Avenue Baptist Church. Organizers of the event said the family did not mention Chance’s birth. Family members declined to be interviewed.

Smith was nine weeks pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital in February.

She had gone to a different hospital the day before with complaints of a severe headache but was sent home with medication. The next morning, her boyfriend found her gasping for air and making gargling sounds in her sleep, according to 11 Alive, which first reported the news.

Smith’s story has renewed debate over Georgia’s abortion law, which took effect in 2022.

Georgia law bans most abortions after medical professionals can detect fetal cardiac activity, which is typically around six weeks of pregnancy and before many know they are pregnant. Later abortions are allowed in limited cases, such as if there is a fetal abnormality or if the life of the mother is at risk.

There also are exceptions in instances of rape or incest when a police report has been filed.

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