A woman in Georgia who was declared brain dead while pregnant was maintained on life support until delivering her baby via C-section, according to her family. She was removed from life support shortly after the birth. This case highlights complex medical, ethical, and legal questions surrounding Georgia’s strict anti-abortion laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
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Key Takeaways:
- Adriana Smith was brain dead but kept on life support while pregnant.
- Her family believes Georgia’s anti-abortion law prevented doctors from ending life support sooner.
- She gave birth via C-section before being removed from support.
- The case has drawn attention to the legal interpretation of brain death and pregnancy under state law.
Timeline of Events
Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old nurse, was declared brain dead in February after suffering blood clots in her brain. At the time, she was approximately nine weeks pregnant.
Despite being legally dead, Smith remained on mechanical ventilation and other support for several months. Her family stated they were told medical staff felt unable to disconnect life support due to the state’s abortion regulations.
On June 13, Smith delivered a son, named Chance, via C-section. Her mother, April Newkirk, confirmed that Smith was removed from life support on Tuesday, June 17.
The Role of Georgia’s Abortion Law
Georgia’s law, known as the Life Act, prohibits most abortions once embryonic cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks into a pregnancy. Exceptions exist for medical futility, threats to the mother’s life, or cases of rape or incest (up to 20 weeks with a police report). The law came into effect after the Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 eliminated the federal right to abortion.
Smith’s situation, being brain dead but pregnant, presented a complex scenario regarding the application of this law. Her family expressed frustration that they could not make medical decisions regarding the termination of life support.
Conflicting Legal Interpretations
The case prompted discussion among legal experts and state officials regarding whether Georgia’s law mandates keeping a brain-dead pregnant individual on life support.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr stated that the Life Act does not require medical professionals to continue life support after brain death. He argued that removing support in such a case is not intended to terminate a pregnancy, therefore it does not violate the law.
Senator Ed Setzler, the Republican sponsor of the Life Act, expressed support for the hospital’s decision to maintain life support until the baby’s birth. He described it as an “unusual circumstance” that highlights “the value of innocent human life.”
However, some bioethicists and legal experts, like Thaddeus Pope and Lois Shepherd, have argued that removing life support from a brain-dead pregnant woman does not legally constitute an abortion and is not required under Georgia law.
Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong, a group challenging the state’s abortion law, criticized the situation, stating the family should have had the right to make medical decisions for Smith.
Family’s Grief and Concerns
April Newkirk, Smith’s mother, shared her grief and questioned the medical care her daughter received before being declared brain dead. She told 11Alive that Smith was sent home from a hospital despite severe headaches and was not given proper testing, like a CT scan, that could have detected the blood clots.
“I’m her mother. I shouldn’t be burying my daughter. My daughter should be burying me,” Newkirk said.
The family also expressed concern over the legal constraints on their ability to decide on ending life support for their brain-dead daughter.
April Newkirk, mother of Adriana Smith, speaking to supporters at a rally against Georgia's abortion ban in Atlanta
April Newkirk, mother of Adriana Smith, speaks to a woman as family and community members gather on Smith’s birthday to celebrate her life and rally against Georgia’s ban on abortion, in Atlanta, Ga., June 15, 2025.
On June 15, family and community members gathered for a sombre celebration of Smith’s 31st birthday, highlighting their ongoing concerns about the circumstances of her death and the law.
Baby’s Condition and Future
Smith’s son, Chance, was born weighing one pound, 13 ounces. He is currently receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
Newkirk stated that the baby is “expected to be OK” and is “fighting.” She requested prayers for him.
Adriana Smith also leaves behind a five-year-old son. Details regarding the future care of the newborn were not immediately released.
Broader Context of US Abortion Laws
This case occurs within a national landscape where abortion access varies significantly by state after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Twelve U.S. states currently enforce near-total bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Three other states, including Georgia, have bans that take effect around six weeks of gestation, with limited exceptions.
The complexities highlighted by Smith’s case underscore the ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding reproductive rights, medical autonomy, and end-of-life care in states with restrictive abortion laws.
For more information on abortion laws in the United States and globally, explore related articles on our site.
