Patriots rookie TE Eli Raridon announces death of newborn son after fatal birth defect diagnosis

The couple shared a post on Instagram and announced that, after going in for a 20-week checkup, their son had been diagnosed with anencephaly. The fatal birth defect, according to the Cleveland Clinic , occurs when the fetal brain and skull doesn't develop as expected. This typically ends in a miscarriage.

"While we are absolutely devastated that we were unable to bring our baby boy home, I am grateful to have loved him deeply, kept him safe, and had been his home for the past 9 months before he was called back to Heaven," Anna wrote on Instagram.

"I believe our little boy was lovingly knitted together in the womb by God, knowing how deeply he would be loved by our families, our friends, Eli, and me," she added later. "Though his time with us was brief, his life still precious, his purpose still meaningful, and he will forever be a part of our story."