The mother of Adriana Smith, an Atlanta woman who was declared brain dead while pregnant, has recently provided an update on the newborn child months after the mother’s life support was discontinued.

Adriana Smith, a registered nurse and expectant mother, experienced a sudden medical emergency in February 2025. Doctors at Emory University Hospital later determined that she was brain dead. However, because she was found to be approximately nine weeks pregnant, medical professionals felt legally compelled to keep her on life support.

This decision was influenced by the so-called ‘heartbeat bill,’ signed into law in 2019 by Governor Brian Kemp. The law prohibits abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected, which typically happens around six weeks of pregnancy. Due to this legislation, Adriana was kept on life support despite her brain-dead diagnosis.

Eventually, Adriana gave birth to a baby boy via emergency cesarean section on June 13, 2025. Four days later, on June 17, her life support was switched off. The newborn son was named Chance, weighing only 1 pound and 13 ounces at birth—a very fragile start.

In a recent update, Adriana’s family shared that Chance continues to fight for his life. His mother, April Newkirk, revealed that he now weighs just under 5 pounds, showing some progress but still facing significant health challenges. It is anticipated that Chance might be able to leave medical care by late September or early October, depending on his recovery.

"His weight is gradually increasing, but the biggest concern remains his breathing," Newkirk explained on August 27, as reported by PEOPLE magazine. “He’s making small progress, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Newkirk had earlier asked for prayers and support, hoping Chance would grow up healthy and strong despite his difficult start.

Reflecting on the past few months, Newkirk described the experience as “torturous.” She told 11Alive, “Something has been taken away from us. It’s been very hard. I think about her every day, all the time.”

She expressed the emotional pain of watching her daughter kept alive on machines for over 90 days after being declared brain dead. “It’s torture for me. I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not really there. And her son—I bring him to see her,” Newkirk said.

The decision to keep Adriana alive was dictated by Georgia’s Life Act, enacted after the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade. This law bans abortion in the state after six weeks of pregnancy unless there is a “medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy.” Though Adriana had suffered a severe medical emergency, doctors believed that turning off life support would violate this legislation.

This situation sparked debate among medical experts, lawmakers, and Smith’s family about the ethical implications of the heartbeat bill. Newkirk voiced her frustration with the law, stating, “I want them to know this didn’t have to happen. The law needs to be changed. It doesn’t just need an adjustment—it needs to be removed entirely. Women have rights; it’s their body.”

Emory Healthcare, where Adriana was treated, has stated that its medical staff makes decisions based on numerous factors including clinical expertise, medical literature, and legal guidelines. A spokesperson told ABC News, “The safety and wellbeing of patients and families remain our top priority. Our providers rely on consensus among clinical experts, medical literature, and legal advice to guide their recommendations.”

Due to patient confidentiality, Emory Healthcare declined to comment on specific cases.

The story of Adriana Smith and her newborn son Chance highlights the complex intersection of medical ethics, law, and personal tragedy in the post-Roe era. It raises critical questions about reproductive rights, the definition of life, and the responsibilities placed on healthcare providers in situations where laws may conflict with medical realities.