Christina Milian lost her newborn nephew, a day after he was born, and shared this fateful news on her facebook page. Her nephew Richie Bear battled an uncommon birth defect, and fought until he could no longer make it.
He was diagnosed with omphalocele during pregnancy, a condition where an infant's intestine or other abdominal organs are formed outside the body.
The doctors had recommended Christina's sister Danielle to abort the baby, but she and her husband Richard Dickerson went against that decision.
"I said to [Richard], 'Could you live with this?' Because I know can. I know I could be in a hospital every day. As a mother, I will do whatever it takes for my child."
On the day Richie was born, Danielle posted a picture of the baby's feet and wrote on Instagram "Baby Richie has arrived! #prayersup for my #babyboy .. He is already a fighter!"
The next day, she informed, "Yesterday I was blessed with the birth of my Richie Bear. Unfortunately, last night he took his place with the Lord and we said goodbye. I so appreciate the prayers and support from everyone. He touched my heart and was perfect in so many ways."
Remembering him, Christina wrote on her Instagram, "his memory will forever live on in our thoughts and our hearts... The last 24 hours have been an emotional roller coaster but i'd like to thank everyone for being so supportive throughout my sister Danielle & Richard's pregnancy. The both of them have shown the true measure of courage and faith for the last 9 months and I can't praise them more."
Danielle told the US Weekly, that when she heard about Richie's congenital disease during pregnancy, she tried to know how this condition developed.
"I had never heard of [omphalocele]. You start taking personal blame, trying to figure out what you could have done to bring this upon yourself and to your baby. It took a lot of research and quite a few doctors reminding me that there is absolutely nothing you could have done."
She continued, "No matter how long he has in this world. I could not imagine taking his chance away."
Danielle and Richard have one daughter together, Naomi Rose.
Danielle Milian appears on the reality TV show Christina Milian Turned up, alongside her sister.
Christina told Page Six, "My sister and brother in law are so strong and we will all get through this together. We appreciate everyones prayers during this difficult time."
