'Miracle' Baby Passes Away 18 Days After Mom's Sudden Death During Childbirth

Matthew Accurso Jr., the “miracle” baby, peacefully passed away after a painful decision to take off his life support was made by his family.

After much thought, the father of Matthew Accurso Jr., made the excruciating choice to take off his child’s life support. Only 18 days after baby Matthew’s mother died during childbirth, he joined her at peace in heaven.

“Earlier this evening baby Matthew, held by his dad, surrounded by his close family as they worshipped and prayed, stepped into eternity to meet Jesus and his momma,” wrote pastor Matt McCloghry on Facebook.

Matthew Jr.’s life was a miracle after surviving “without an ounce of oxygen” on the way to the hospital, to be born through an emergency c-section and go straight to the ICU. He was able to open his eyes, breathe on his own, and pump blood with his heart.

However, the baby suffered “from significant brain injury due to a prolonged period without oxygen during his birth,” causing him to be at a critical state for weeks and reliant on life support to live -- a breathing machine and a feeding tube.

His mother, Lauren Accurso, who was then 37 years old, died while giving birth, leaving behind her three other children with her husband in Jacksonville, Florida. She passed away after a rare medical emergency occurred that was inevitable from happening.

Their family’s tragic story was posted on the GoFundMe page, stating that the pain of losing Lauren was too much to bear for her husband and three daughters, Ali, Naomi, and Layne. She had a “lovely” personality, always radiating the room with positivity.

Although her loss resulted in her child’s birth, this too was taken away after baby Matthew’s father had to make a painful decision. Last week, her husband said:

“TODAY, I was faced with something no father should ever have to face. The decision to place Matthew on endless life supporting contraptions and medications or allow God to carry him where He will. So many thoughts have run through my head. “What more can I give Lord, you have my soul mate and now my son? That is all I can bear. Please shower your mercy over me. This weight is too great!”