Whitney and Brett Quinton faced years of heartbreak in their quest to have a child. Their journey spanned over six years and included numerous challenges, including Whitney undergoing four surgeries to treat her endometriosis and enduring a “terrible miscarriage.” After such hardships, the couple was overjoyed when they discovered they were expecting a baby girl, only to be confronted with devastating news during a scan. Their daughter had severe complications: her heart was in the wrong position, she was missing a kidney, and her long bones had not properly developed.

The gravity of the situation left Whitney and Brett facing an impossible decision. Doctors presented the option of terminating the pregnancy, a suggestion that left Whitney screaming and collapsing in tears. The couple came to understand that their daughter’s chances of survival were slim and that any life she might have would likely involve significant suffering. After weeks of agonizing deliberation, they made the heartbreaking choice to induce labor, determined to spare both Ruby-Jo and Whitney further pain.

Ruby-Jo was born in December 2021, weighing just one pound. Whitney awoke to the overwhelming reality of her daughter’s silent arrival. In the midst of the grief, Brett offered her words of comfort that would provide ongoing solace: “Whits, it’s okay. You did it. She’s finally home and she’s perfect. She’s with our family in Heaven, and she’s not in pain anymore. I am so proud of you.” His support became a lifeline as Whitney processed the unimaginable loss.

Whitney has since been open about the profound grief she continues to experience. On social media, she described her soul as “empty, weak, lifeless, fragile, broken and straight up angry.” She mourns not only the life of her daughter but also the person she was before receiving the “earth shattering news,” and she laments that her son, Ronan, never got the chance to become Ruby-Jo’s big brother. The emotional weight of their loss remains an ongoing part of their lives.

Despite the pain, the Quintons have made it a priority to honor Ruby-Jo’s memory. On what would have been her second birthday in December 2023, Whitney shared a moving slideshow of photos from Ruby-Jo’s burial, captioned with a message of enduring love: “Happy birthday sweetheart. Your mom, dad, and big brother love you more than you could ever imagine.” Their story stands as a powerful testament to a family’s love, resilience, and the profound grief that accompanies the loss of a child.