Long Fight Ends for Tiny Infant

Eight-month-old Ethan Sechrest, the tiny fighter who weighed just 14 ounces at birth and could be held in his doctor’s cupped hand, died Saturday night from complications of his premature delivery.

“There was nothing more that human hands could do for him,” said his father, Alan.

Ethan--at 3 months old and all of 3 pounds, 8 ounces--became a media sensation in June when he went home from Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, making him one of the smallest premature babies to survive.

At home in Mission Viejo for the next several months, he made remarkable progress, growing to more than 8 pounds. But in September, a respiratory virus put him back in the hospital. And with his white cell count near zero, his body was open to any new virus or infection.

“They gradually took over his little body,” his father said.

On Saturday, Alan and Deann Sechrest decided to transfer their dying infant son from UCLA Medical Center’s pediatric intensive care unit to the more familiar Saddleback hospital. The parents wanted him to be “surrounded by doctors and nurses who have cared and love him and us” over the last eight months, Alan Sechrest said.

“He could not have done better,” his father said of Ethan’s short life. “He exceeded all expectations. He was a very, very tough little guy. He fought valiantly.”

During Ethan’s final night, his sister Alison, 4, and brother Austin, 3, said their goodbyes. He was baptized. And then he died, shortly before midnight.

“We wanted to make it right and make it comfortable for him,” Sechrest said.

Ethan’s death shook the Orange County Christian community, who had prayed for him since weeks before his birth.

“It’s broken our hearts,” said Ann Moore, whose e-mail prayer ministry followed Ethan’s progress. “He put up such a fight.

“It’s hard when you prayed so hard for the little guy. He was just too tiny to really make it.”

The Sechrests said their faith--and the support they knew was coming even from people they didn’t know--enabled them to face each day.

“Ethan’s life has had a purpose in terms of teaching us about faith and being a light to others as well,” Sechrest said. “God uses all things for good.”

Funeral services are being arranged by Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo.

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In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Coast Hills Community Church, 5 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo, 92656, or Saddleback Memorial Foundation, c/o Infant Special Care Unit, 24451 Health Center Drive, Laguna Hills, 92653.