Couple who lost 2 babies to genetic condition welcome healthy boy

Eight-month-old Lincoln Batt may not realize it yet, but he is the brightest symbol of joy and hope for so many — foremost his parents, Nick and Ashley, but also for all who know the Batts and the unfathomable adversity they’ve faced so bravely the past few years.

Both 2012 graduates of Plymouth High School, Nick and Ashley welcomed their first child, son Bryson, into the world Aug. 5, 2020. Sadly, one month later, Bryson passed away from a genetic condition.

Still grieving from the loss of their first-born son and with assurance from medical professionals that the disease that took Bryson was random, the Batts learned in 2021 that Ashley was pregnant with another son.

In remembrance of Bryson’s first birthday on Aug. 5, 2021, the Batts asked family and friends to donate items – rattles, board books and food delivery gift cards – that could be used to comfort parents at Detroit Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit who were caring for their gravely ill babies.

“The response we received from our family and friends was amazing,” Ashley shared. “People donated so much. It seemed like we had Amazon boxes on our porch every day.”

Foundation launched

On July 19, 2022, the Batts announced the official creation of the Bryson and Baker Batt Foundation, a 501c3 that will support families going through challenging times, specifically NICU families and families that don’t get to take their babies home.

Baker Batt was born March 8, 2022. He passed away six weeks later from the same condition that took his older brother.

“Nick and I didn’t know we were carriers (of the gene that caused their sons’ fatal condition) and at first, after Bryson was born, we were told it was random,” Ashley said.

A short time after Baker’s passing, the Batts entered a year-long research study conducted by Kansas City Children’s Hospital.

“Doctors were able to identify a gene Nick and I both carried that caused the condition inherited by Bryson and Baker,” Ashley Batt explained. “Doctors had never seen the gene that Nick and I carried.”

Medical marvels

Thanks to modern-day science and medicine, doctors were able to remove the defective genes from Ashley and Nick, which set the ball rolling toward the couple utilizing in vitro fertilization (IVF) at IVF Michigan in Bloomfield Hills.

“Doctors were able to test all of the embryos to make sure that the defective gene was not passed down to our next baby,” Ashley said.

In November of 2023, the Batts learned Ashley was pregnant — news that sparked resounding joy in everyone who knew their journey.

“We hadn’t told anyone about our IVF transfers; we wanted to wait until we found out it was going to be successful,” Ashley said. “Fortunately, it worked after the first round. Trust me, we shed a lot of happy tears when we learned I was pregnant with Lincoln. We feel so blessed.”

That joy spread rapidly amongst the Batts’ family and friends once they revealed their exciting news.

‘Overjoyed would be an understatement’

“I can’t even tell you how many phone calls, texts and surprises we received after the good news got out,” Ashley said. “To say everyone — including Nick and I — were overjoyed would be an understatement.”

Ashley said she experienced a “textbook” pregnancy with Lincoln, who was born July 9, 2024.

Incredible examples of resilience, Nick and Ashley have continued to run their foundation in memory of the two sons they lost in 2020 and 2022.

“We just had our second gala for the foundation in December at the Detroit Athletic Club,” Ashley revealed.

“The money we raised through the gala will be used to fund a bereavement space in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) inside Children’s Hospital. It will give parents a homey room to spend time with their severely-ill children, instead of having to spend the last hours in a hospital room with all the machines running.”

To donate to the Bryson and Baker Batt Foundation, click here.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.