Latest news with #GeorgiaAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Adriana Smith, brain-dead Georgian mother who gave birth to a son, to be taken off life support
Adriana Smith, a brain dead woman who gave birth to her son, would be removed from life support soon. Adriana Smith was a nurse from metro Atlanta. She was declared brain dead on Feb 19, when she was 8 weeks pregnant, reports said. The cause of death was blood clots in her brain after she had a bad headache and went to the hospital. The hospital sent her home, and within hours, she became unresponsive. Her family says the doctors later told them she had suffered blood clots and was brain dead. Birth of baby Chance On June 13 at 4:41 AM, Adriana's baby boy was born via emergency C-section. The baby's name is Chance and he was born prematurely. He was born very small, just 1 pound 13 ounces, and is now in the NICU. The family says he's still fighting but should be okay, as per the report by 11Alive. Adriana has been on life support for almost 4 months. The hospital plans to remove life support on Tuesday, as confirmed by her mom. Her mom said it's really hard to accept and she wishes she had more time with her. The family celebrated Adriana's 31st birthday recently. People across the country noticed Adriana's case because of Georgia's abortion law (House Bill 481 / LIFE Act). The law stops most abortions after a heartbeat is found but doesn't say what to do if the mom is brain dead. Doctors told the family they had to keep Adriana on life support because of the law, as per the report by 11Alive. Live Events But in May, the Georgia Attorney General's Office clarified that nothing in the law forces hospitals to keep brain-dead pregnant women on machines. Emory Healthcare, where she was treated, hasn't explained its decision in detail, only that it considered Georgia's abortion law and other laws, as per the report by AP. State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes called the legal confusion 'life and death contradictions.' Adriana's mom said the family should have had a choice about her daughter's treatment. She said they may not have ended the pregnancy, but they still wanted the right to decide. She added, 'All women should have a choice about their body.' Adriana as a person Adriana was a nurse who loved her job. Her mom said the medical system that she worked in also let her down. Adriana was a caring mom to her 7-year-old son. He thinks she's just been sleeping. The family hasn't told him yet that he has a baby brother, as per the reports. Adriana was kind, smart, caring, loved traveling, and wanted to study more. Some of her old patients even said she was a great nurse. The family is raising money online to support both children and cover hospital costs. Adriana's mom said, 'This hit us really, really hard' and asked for prayers and privacy, as per the report by 11Alive. FAQs Q1. Who was Adriana Smith? She was a pregnant nurse in Georgia who became brain dead and stayed on life support until her baby was born. Q2. Why didn't they turn off her life support? Doctors were confused by Georgia's abortion law and thought they had to keep her on it.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Health
- Black America Web
Adriana Smith, Brain-Dead Georgia Mom On Life Support, Gives Birth Via C-Section
Source: Courtesy of Family / Courtesy Photo After months of being on life support due to a medical emergency linked to blood clots in her brain, Adriana Smith's baby boy was delivered via C-section prematurely on Friday, June 13, according to local Atlanta affiliate 11Alive. But the miracle birth is a bittersweet one, as Smith's family also has to prepare her funeral. Speaking with the outlet following the birth of her grandson, Smith's mother, April Newkirk, provided an update on the baby's health after weighing in at 1 pound, 13 ounces and being placed in the NICU. 'He's expected to be OK,' Newkirk shared. 'He's just fighting. We just want prayers for him. Just keep praying for him. He's here now.' Visibly emotional, Newkirk expressed her feelings about saying a final goodbye to her daughter after months on forced life support due to Georgia's abortion ban. 'It's kind of hard, you know,' she said of her daughter, who turned 31 years old on June 15. 'It's hard to process. I'm her mother. I shouldn't be burying my daughter. My daughter should be burying me.' 'If I could say one more thing to her, I guess I would tell her that I love her and that she was a great daughter,' Newkirk added. Per Georgia law, most abortions are banned after cardiac activity is detected, which is around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women even realize they are pregnant. On February 19, Smith, a nurse, was declared brain dead at eight weeks pregnant. Newkirk said doctors then informed her that due to Georgia's abortion law, House Bill 481 or the LIFE Act, they were required to keep Smith on life support until the baby could be delivered, according to 11Alive. However, the LIFE Act does not explicitly address situations involving brain death, which experts say has caused confusion. The Georgia Attorney General's Office issued a statement back in May addressing the controversial law. 'There is nothing in the LIFE Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death,' said office spokesperson Kara Murray. 'Removing life support is not an action with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy.' 'I'm not saying we would have chosen to terminate her pregnancy. But I'm saying we should have had a choice,' Newkirk previously told the outlet of her daughter's right to choose. 'I think all women should have a choice about their body. And I think I want people to know that.' 'The same field that she worked in is the same people that failed her,' Newkirk said. SEE ALSO Adriana Smith, Brain-Dead Georgia Mom On Life Support, Gives Birth Via C-Section was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Georgia AG announces Brookhaven woman convicted in $305K Medicaid fraud scheme
The Georgia Attorney General's Office announced a 60-year-old Brookhaven woman was convicted for Medicaid fraud passing $305,000. According to Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office, Teresa Renee Owens owned RJ Shepherd II, Inc, which was doing business as Better Home Healthcare of Georgia. The company provided behavioral health therapy services to children and adults and was enrolled in Medicaid. 'While operating this business, Owens directed the submission of false claims to the Georgia Medicaid program on a repetitive basis' and had her staff create patient records with fake information in them to support the fraudulent claims, the AG's office said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: FAA says another ground stop is possible at Atlanta airport on Monday Family of beloved Buckhead murder victim expected to learn if accused killer fit to stand trial Georgia gas prices down 11 cents compared to April as oil prices trend lower 'The funds derived from this scheme, $305,685.75″ were then put into personal bank accounts owned by Owens. On March 31, Owens pled guilty in DeKalb County Superior Court to one count of Medicaid fraud, one count of false writings and one count of identity fraud. She was sentenced to 10 years, with one year served in prison and the other nine on probation, according to Carr's office. Additionally, Owens had a restitution hearing on April 28, where a judge ordered her to pay $305,685.75 back to the Georgia Medicaid program. 'Medicaid Fraud isn't a victimless crime – it's theft of taxpayer dollars and it undermines a system meant to care for our most vulnerable Georgians,' Carr said in a statement. 'As this case shows, we will not hesitate to hold accountable those who use their positions to exploit our Medicaid program. Rest assured, if you're a provider attempting to game the system, you will be identified, prosecuted, and ordered to pay back every dollar you stole.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
