13-Ounce Infant Passes Away After 25 Days 'Of Love And Happiness'

Aug 07, 2019 by apost team

Ellonn Smartt gave birth at 23 weeks to a miracle baby weighing only 13 ounces last month, but sadly she has confirmed that her newborn has passed away at just 25 days old. The infant whom they named Jaden Wesley Morrow outlived doctors' life expectancy which was only 72 hours. 

“Jaden was with us for 25 days,” Smartt told Today, “He pushed so hard until the very end.” Though Jaden seemed to be doing well, his health quickly deteriorated. “He got an infection that his immune system just couldn’t handle,” Smartt said. Jaden passed away on August 5th at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, he weighed a little over 1 pound. 

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The family made headlines when Ellonn's water broke at just 23 weeks. “They said I was going to have to deliver in the next day or two and there was a good chance he wouldn’t survive,” Smartt remembers telling Today.

“That was the moment when I fell apart. I was heartbroken.”  However little Jaden was born and defeated the odds stacked against him. “His arms and toes were moving and he was trying to breathe on his own,” Smartt said. “He’s our little miracle.”

When Jaden passed away on Monday, his mother took to social media to talk about how strong of a fighter her son was. “Jaden is stronger than anyone I know,” she said.

“He came here to teach us what love really means. Where he is, there are no more tubes, no alarms beeping or machines. He fought hard for all of us...25 days. 25 days of love and happiness.”

If you found this story inspiring, show it to a family member or friend who loves kids. Tell us your thoughts on Jaden's story below.