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Premature Baby's Fight Sparks Debate Over Georgia's Heartbeat Law

12/6/2025

Summary

Story summary

Chance April Newkirk, born prematurely in Georgia to a mother declared brain dead, remains hospitalized nearly six months after birth.
His grandmother, April Newkirk, says Chance weighs 11 pounds and will not be home for the holidays.
Family says Georgia's heartbeat law, enacted in 2019, forced them to keep the mother on life support.
A Georgia Attorney General spokesperson clarified heartbeat law does not mandate life support for brain-dead patients.

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Story summary

Chance April Newkirk, born prematurely in Georgia to a mother declared brain dead, remains hospitalized nearly six months after birth.
His grandmother, April Newkirk, says Chance weighs 11 pounds and will not be home for the holidays.
Family says Georgia's heartbeat law, enacted in 2019, forced them to keep the mother on life support.
A Georgia Attorney General spokesperson clarified heartbeat law does not mandate life support for brain-dead patients.