Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PUEBLO, Colo. — The little boy called the "miracle child" has died three years after being born without a brain.
Nickolas Coke was born three years ago with anencephaly — he had only a brain stem. Most babies with the condition are either stillborn or die shortly after birth, but Nickolas hung on, able to survive because it is the brain stem that controls vital organ functions.
In a July interview with KOAA, Nickolas' mom, Sheena, said she believed the "love and caring that everyone gives him is making him stronger and making him live longer."
One month ago, Nickolas became a big brother to Jace Nickolas James, named for the boy who no one thought would live, but never gave up.
The defect occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births, although the exact number is unknown because the defect often results in miscarriage.
Anencephaly is usually detected via ultrasound and typically causes death within a few days of birth.
He went peacefully, according to Sherri Kohut, the boy's grandmother. She believes he caught a virus. Around 6 a.m., he woke up with breathing difficulties. At 12:40 p.m. on Halloween, he was gone.
"He was never hooked up to any machines, no tubes, no nothing," Kohut said.
Nickolas' family told the Christian Post they tried to make sure every day mattered to their little miracle.
"He taught us everything, he taught the love, how to be family. He taught us everything," Kohut said.
Screen grab via KOAA.
