Maple Grove Hospital’s ‘Miracle’ Baby Headed Home After 11-Month NICU Stay

After a record-setting 334 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NCIU) at Maple Grove Hospital, its ‘miracle’ baby, Adonis, is headed home to Brooklyn Park.

After Jasmin Wellington went into labor at 24 weeks and five days, she and her care team at Maple Grove Hospital weren’t sure of her nearly two-pound baby’s future.

But fighters come in all shapes and sizes — some as small as Adonis, who was born weighing just 1 pound and 8 ounces.

Nurse Katherine Martinson met him at two weeks old. He was sick, but resilient.

“I remember thinking, ‘this boy is going to be a really special boy. And I can’t wait to see the milestones he’s going to make,'” Martinson recalled. 

Growing Up

Martinson watched him grow and meet those milestones, but also saw him face setbacks.

Adonis battled MRSA and pneumonia, but he overcame each one.

Martinson said she was with him as often as she could be, but was still amazed to watch him hit every milestone.

“It’s been the most incredible experience of my life. The most rewarding thing,” Martinson said. “I want people to believe in miracles. Because it really is, he really is a miracle.”

Over the 11 months in the NICU, Martinson and the rest of Adonis’ care team became like family.

She stayed in touch with Wellington, Adonis’ dad Junior Rancy-Quaye, and his seven-year-old brother Ace.

“He’s a happy baby. Despite everything he’s been through, very happy,” Wellington said. “It’s been a lot. A lot of emotions. But I’m just grateful for him and his life, and he’s definitely a miracle.”

Adonis’ parents would frequently visit him in the NICU. Every day of his life, so far, was spent there — until Friday, September 11.

That day, he was sent home with just one liter of oxygen. It’s a far cry from where he started, and his family is grateful.

“Seeing him survive, seeing him make it through every day. I would say that would be the most important thing, that’s what we look forward to every day,” Rancy-Quaye said.

“I’m just grateful for his life and his destiny,” Wellington said. “He’s definitely meant to be here.”

Adonis, adorned in his NICU graduation cap and gown, tries cake with his mom, dad and nurses watching over him.

Going Home

The average stay in the NICU is 13 days, according to Maple Grove Hospital representatives.

Adonis’ 334 days is unheard of. It’s the longest a NICU baby has stayed at that hospital. 

Adonis’ sendoff wasn’t without fanfare.

His room was packed with his care team and loved ones. He was dressed in a cap and gown and got his first taste of a bundt cake. As his family rolled him out the wing, the same care team and loved ones lined the halls and cheered.

“I’m excited to just cuddle with him, just be with him 24/7,” Wellington said.

His parents credit their faith for helping them get through the year.

“Just have faith. Put your trust in God. And yeah, that’s the only recipe we’ve got,” Rancy-Quaye said.

What matters now is that Adonis gets to finish growing up at home. And it’s clear, the miracle baby has plenty of fight left in him.

All of Adonis’ care team, loved ones and supporters pose for a photo with him and his family.

Brooklyn Park | Maple Grove