Aside from Trent Williams’ wife announcing the passing of their baby via a heartbreaking social media post, the NFL star’s coach also spoke out about the tragedy.
Football star Trent Williams and his wife Sondra Williams recently lost their baby son Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr. The bereaved mother took to Instagram two days ago (December 1) to share the sad news with the public via a tearjerking Instagram video displaying moments from the late baby’s birth in the hospital.
Trent and Sondra Williams at the NFL Draft grand opening celebration in New York City on April 21, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Video footage began by showing an ultrasound of the then-growing fetus. Afterward, it transitioned to display a heartwarming moment between Sondra and her and Trent’s youngest daughter, Madison Jade Williams, who lovingly hugged her mom’s pregnant belly as the two relaxed in a pool.
Madison Jade and Sondra Williams posing for a picture at a football game, posted on February 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Included in the video, which was accompanied by Beyoncé’s song “Heaven,” were beautiful still photos of Sondra posing with her baby bump.
Other snapshots showed moments shared among members of the Williams family, who sat beside Sondra while she was still pregnant in the hospital.
Taking a sorrowful turn, the video then displayed Sondra and Trent’s stillborn baby boy. Heartbreaking imagery ensued, showing Sondra cradling her late baby on her chest and in her arms. Other family members also got to hold the baby.
Sondra, Madison, Micah, and MaKayla Williams posing for a photo with loved ones during Thanksgiving, posted on November 30, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Adding another tear-jerking layer was the fact that Sondra and Trent’s three daughters — Madison, Micah, and MaKayla Williams — joined their parents at the hospital to say hello and goodbye to their late baby brother.
Micah, MaKayla, and Madison Williams posing for a Christmas photo, posted on December 27, 2022 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Sondra’s lengthy caption contextualized the video and revealed the cause of her baby’s death. “👼🏽My Forever Angel, Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr. 💙 💔It’s been extremely hard trying to process the saddest Hello and Goodbye that I’ve ever had to endure. Last Sunday night on 11/24/24; I welcomed your lifeless 4lb 8oz 18.5 in long little body at 11:38 pm,” began the mother.
She went on to note how Trenton Jr. died at only 35 weeks and emphasized how his arrival was so quick that doctors did not even get the chance to administer an epidural before the birth.
However, Sondra expressed gratitude for having Trenton Jr.’s aunt, Katina, who cut the umbilical cord, at her side. She also thanked a nurse named Hannah for the same thing.
Trenton Williams Jr.’s aunt Katina posing with a loved one. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Sondra then admitted that although she had attempted to prepare herself for what was to come, she was never ready. “After losing your twin early in the pregnancy, I prayed and hoped that your diagnosis of Trisomy 13 wasn’t true and wouldn’t be the fate of my long awaited [sic] beautiful Son-shine.☀️,” revealed the doting mom.
She continued, “My firstborn and only son, I’ve always wanted you, but God wanted and needed you more. Knowing you are in Heaven with your Great-Aunt Vivian and that you will Always be our Guardian Angel 👼🏽 brings me great comfort in the midst of all this sorrow [sic].”
Trenton Jr.’s heartbroken mom expressed how challenging it has been for her to not be able to dote on her late son at home. She noted how tearful she gets when thinking about the fact that she will never have the opportunity to watch him grow alongside his big sisters.
Micah, Madison, and MaKayla Williams posing with a loved one on Thanksgiving. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Sondra also spoke about how devastating it was to leave the hospital and celebrate Thanksgiving without Trenton Jr. “💔 But I know you’ll always be near watching over me and your sisters. 💞👼🏽 And for that, my heart smiles with gratitude. 💙,” she reasoned.
Sondra Williams with her daughters, Madison, Micah, and MaKayla Williams. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
The grieving mother went on to thank God for having allowed their family to bond with Trenton Jr. for the 35 weeks he had spent in her tummy, and when she got to hold him in her arms after birth. Sondra also expressed that she is “at peace” knowing baby Trenton Jr. will “never have to suffer.”
“Although I will never hear your soft coos and cries or see those beautiful little eyes staring up at me, I am grateful to God for the time I shared with you. 💗💙 Madison loved listening to your heartbeat and watching your waves of movement in my tummy. Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr., my sweet baby boy, we love you our Forever Angel!💙👼🏽 ,” she shared.
Within Sondra’s message, she mentioned that her baby boy was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, which is a rare genetic condition.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Trisomy 13, otherwise known as Patau syndrome, occurs when “an extra copy of chromosome 13 attaches to a pair of chromosomes.” Thus, instead of having two copies of chromosome 13, people with Trisomy 13 have three.
The condition’s symptoms include heart abnormalities, severe issues with cognitive function, and underdeveloped internal organs.
Additional physical symptoms include a small head and lower jaw; cleft lip or palate; arm and leg growth abnormalities; difficulty gaining weight; extremely small, close together, or underdeveloped eyes; extra fingers or toes, and low muscle tone, to name a few.
Such symptoms can be life-threatening and the condition’s rate of occurrence is higher among kids who are born to parents over the age of 35. Trisomy 13 is also estimated to occur in 1 out of 10,000 to 20,000 live births.
Moreover, the Cleveland Clinic explains, “The mortality rate is high during a baby’s first few days of life and many pregnancies result in a miscarriage due to life-threatening symptoms […] Only 5% to 10% of babies born with trisomy 13 survive past their first year.”
Aside from Sondra’s Instagram post announcing the death of her baby boy, her husband’s San Francisco 49ers coach, Kyle Shanahan, confirmed the sad news and gave an update on how Trent has been doing.
“It’s something that happened last week and he was there at the hospital with her and got to meet him and say bye. And then he had to cremate him on Friday. He’s been dealing with that and he’s working through it. We’re all just trying to be here for him through it all,” divulged Kyle.
As mentioned before, Sondra, Trent, and their family had to celebrate Thanksgiving without baby Trenton. When she shared an Instagram carousel displaying beautiful family photos of her and her loved ones celebrating the holiday, Sondra acknowledged how thankful she remains despite experiencing such a devastating loss.
Sandra Williams and Katina posing with loved ones on Thanksgiving. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
“💛🧡Thankful for Family🦃. In spite of everything that I’ve been through, I have so much to be thankful for. It’s been an extremely emotional week. All I can say is that I’m truly grateful for my family and blessed to have them celebrate Thanksgiving with us. 🙏🏾💛[…]😘,” penned the mom in her caption.
From the plethora of Instagram posts dedicated to shining a spotlight on the love Sondra has for her kids, husband, and loved ones, it’s clear that the loving mom holds family in the highest regard.
Sondra Williams posing with her daughters MaKayla, Micah, and Madison Williams at an event, posted on September 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
On National Daughter’s Day, Sondra shared an Instagram carousel of lovely photos showing her three girls posing for the camera at different events.
Madison, MaKayla, and Micah Williams. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
“💕My Girls🎀🎀🎀🎀 Eternally Grateful that I’ve been Blessed with the Best! […] Happy National Daughter’s Day!💕,” boasted the proud mom in the post’s caption.
Another heartwarming post shared by Sondra showed her, Trent, Micah, and MaKayla celebrating Madison’s first Christmas after she was born in 2022.
Sondra, Madison, MaKayla, and Micah Williams posing for a picture, posted on December 27, 2022 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
In her caption, she swooned over the beautiful little girl whom she called “the most angelic gift.” She also expressed gratitude for her two other “greatest gifts,” MaKayla and Micah.
When her beloved husband and his team made it to this year’s Super Bowl in February, the supportive wife showered Trent with praise for his incredible accomplishment.
Trent Williams posing for a picture at the NFC Champions game, posted on February 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Yet again, she took to Instagram to share an array of images of her, Trent, their daughters, and other family members celebrating the 49ers’ victory against the Detroit Lions at the NFC Championship game.
Sondra and Trent Williams posing for a photo with their daughters Micah, Madison, and MaKayla Williams and a loved one. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
Her lengthy caption expressed how proud she was of Trent. “Daddy Silverback, you are hands down the Most Incredible Left Tackle to ever enter the league! 🦍💪🏾💛🥰 Your girls and I are extremely proud of you! We’re always praying and cheering 📣,” praised the supportive wife.
Trent and Sondra Williams with their daughters MaKayla, Micah, and Madison Williams. | Source: Instagram/yoginisdww
She then went on to note how she and their family would be praying for the San Francisco 49ers to win at the Super Bowl before concluding her message by making it clear that she is Trent’s number one fan.
The joy exuded in the photos of the aforementioned post comes as a juxtaposition to the sorrowful video Sondra shared announcing baby Trenton Jr.’s death.
At this time, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to Sondra, Trent, MaKayla, Micah, Madison, and their entire family and friends for their significant loss, and hope for healing amid their time of grief.