A couple who “murdered” their unborn child after a Down syndrome diagnosis sparked fierce debate online, but it was the father’s claim that the condition is “not a blessing” that prompted one mother to respond.
Just months ago, Jesse and Ashely Ridgway shared some exciting news with their followers online.
“Baby Ridgway – Coming fall 2026,” Ridway, 33, captioned a social media post that included an image of him and his 31-year-old wife holding a photo of an ultrasound.
A few months later, the celebration gave way to outrage.
“Baby Ridgway – Murdered June 2026,” one netizen recently wrote in the comment section of the influencer’s Instagram announcement.
“Now you’ll never know, what would have been your greatest joy in life, and for that, I’m sorry,” another added.
‘Isn’t a blessing’
On June 3, the social media stars shared an update, revealing they had made the “difficult decision to terminate” the pregnancy after learning their unborn baby had Down syndrome.
“The choice was not made lightly,” Ridgway started. “When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work. I signed on to be a parent, come what may…but I just didn’t fully understand what Down syndrome entailed.”
Ridgway explained that his understanding of the condition changed after speaking with family members, friends, medical professionals and genetic counselors.
“Down syndrome isn’t a ‘blessing’, it is objectively s***ty from a health perspective,” he wrote.
“I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family…more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.”
He also wrote that he had been told approximately 90% of women choose to terminate a pregnancy after receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis, although estimates vary. According to Healthline, research has placed the figure closer to 67% in the U.S.
Despite the heartbreak surrounding their decision, Ridgway and Ashley said they hope to try for another child in the future and expressed hopes for a “better outcome” next time.
‘Not mistakes to be prevented’
The decision to abort a child diagnosed with Down syndrome drew fierce criticism online, with users arguing that people with the condition are not “mistakes” but “huge blessings.”
“People with Down syndrome are not mistakes to be prevented or problems to be solved. I hope we can recognize that a life with Down syndrome is still a life full of potential, relationships, and value. Every human being deserves to be seen as more than a diagnosis,” one user shared in the comment section.
“Hard doesn’t equal ‘not a blessing.’ They’re huge blessings to this society and I’m honored to be a small part of their lives,” shared a second, who explained she works with children with Down syndrome.
Another added: “My heart hurts knowing I’m raising my sweet boy with Down syndrome in a world where there are people who look at him and think any of these thoughts about him not being worthy of life.”
Mother pushes back
Ridgway’s comments that his unborn child was “not a blessing” also drew a response from Kandi Pickard, CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society and the mother of a 14-year-old son with the condition.
Speaking with People, Pickard said she strongly disagreed with Ridgway’s characterization of life with Down syndrome.
“When [Jesse] says that Down syndrome isn’t a blessing, as a parent, I vehemently disagree,” Pickard argued.
“There’s statistics out here from individuals with Down syndrome and also from their families that 99% of people with Down syndrome are happy with their lives and they like who they are,” she shared, adding that 99% of families “love their children” and are “proud of them.”
While acknowledging that receiving a diagnosis can be “scary” for expectant parents, Pickard said she believes families deserve access to complete and accurate information before making such life-changing decisions.
Not a ‘moral debate’
While Pickard focused on the experiences of parents raising children with Down syndrome, Dr. Eboni January emphasized that an unexpected diagnosis during pregnancy can be “very emotionally devastating for a family.”
“I don’t believe that a moment like this really should be reduced to a headline, a comment section, or just even a moral debate,” Dr. January, an OB-GYN, published author and women’s health advocate, told People. “Not everyone may be equipped to deal with certain things, and so we have to make sure that they understand those things. It’s not one same story.”
What do you think about the couple’s decision to terminate the pregnancy because of the Down syndrome diagnosis? Please let us know your thoughts and then share this story so we can get the conversation going!
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