Brain-Dead Atlanta Nurse Kept on Life Support Until Her Fetus Can be Delivered Under State’s ‘Heartbeat’ Law

Adriana Smith was nearly nine weeks pregnant

The family of Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse and mother from metro Atlanta, says she has been declared brain dead for over 90 days but remains on life support because she was pregnant at the time of her medical crisis.

Smith, a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital, was nearly nine weeks pregnant in early February when she began experiencing intense headaches. According to her mother, April Newkirk, Smith sought treatment at Northside Hospital but was discharged after being given medication, without any imaging scans.

“They gave her some medication, but they didn’t do any tests. No CT scan,” Newkirk said. “If they had done that or kept her overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented.”

Adriana Smith with her young son

The following morning, Smith’s boyfriend reportedly woke up to hear her gasping for air and making gargling sounds, which he believed indicated internal bleeding. He called 911, and Smith was rushed to Emory Decatur before being transferred to Emory University Hospital, where she worked. A CT scan there revealed multiple blood clots in her brain.

Doctors initially sought to perform a procedure to relieve pressure in Smith’s brain, but later informed the family they could not proceed. Shortly after, Smith was declared brain dead.

Despite the diagnosis, Smith has remained on life support for more than three months due to her pregnancy. Her family, including her young son, has visited her bedside daily. “It’s torture for me,” Newkirk said. “I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there. And her son—I bring him to see her. He thinks she’s just sleeping.”

Ultrasound image of the pregnancy

Smith was recently moved to Emory Midtown, where doctors believe the facility is better suited for obstetric care. Physicians plan to keep her body alive until the baby reaches a viable gestational age—likely around 32 weeks. Smith is currently 21 weeks pregnant.

Georgia’s heartbeat law, which bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected—typically around six weeks—has created a legal gray area in this case. While the law includes exceptions for rape, incest, or threats to the mother's life, Smith is legally considered deceased. Because she is no longer "at risk," medical providers are required to maintain life-sustaining measures to support the fetus until viability.

Newkirk said doctors informed the family they are legally prohibited from ending the pregnancy, even if the family were to request it. “I think every woman should have the right to make their own decision,” Newkirk said. “And if not, then their partner or their parents.” She emphasized that while they may not have chosen to end the pregnancy, being denied that choice has deepened their trauma.

Adriana Smith with friends

Doctors have told the family the fetus has fluid on the brain, raising serious concerns about the baby’s health and future. “She’s pregnant with my grandson. But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he’s born,” Newkirk said. “This decision should’ve been left to us. Now we’re left wondering what kind of life he’ll have—and we’re going to be the ones raising him."

With hospital bills piling up and no resolution in sight, the family is growing increasingly anxious about the long-term emotional and financial burden. Smith’s body remains dependent on intensive medical intervention that may continue for several more weeks.

“They’re hoping to get the baby to at least 32 weeks,” said Newkirk. “But every day that goes by, it’s more cost, more trauma, more questions.”

The case has reignited debate over Georgia’s restrictive abortion laws and the limits they place on families facing complex medical and ethical decisions. In many other states, next of kin would be allowed to make the final call, especially when the mother is declared brain dead and fetal viability is uncertain.

Smith’s family says they are sharing their story in hopes of raising awareness and pushing for change. “People need to understand the toll these laws take,” Newkirk said. “This shouldn’t happen to anyone else.”