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Exclusive: Horrifying Death of Reality Star's Baby

Posted Sep 26th 2006 9:40PM by TMZ Staff

Joseph SimmonsA rapper's wife gave birth Thursday, but the scene quickly turned to tragedy after their newborn girl was pronounced dead.

Rev. Run, a.k.a. Joseph Simmons, shocked fans last year when he announced that his wife Justine was pregnant on his MTV reality show "Run's House."

Justine's pregnancy was the cliffhanger on the MTV show last season. It generated intense interest among viewers who have been anxiously following the pregnancy and awaiting the birth.

Simmons, a member of the legendary rap group Run-DMC, was at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ Tuesday for the birth of his child. Doctors delivered the baby via c-section, revealing a cruel twist of fate -- the baby girl was born with organs outside the body. The newborn died a short time later.

TMZ has learned that MTV cameras were inside the hospital at the time of the birth, though we do not know if they were in the delivery room.

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61. I never watched this, I remembered Run DMC in the 80s I was a fan then but I had lost interest. Despite that, regardless of who what when or where its a tragic loss and I feel for them. My thoughts and prayers go out its an extremely sad moment but I know from what I remember of this band and Rev. Run, hes a strong soul and he and his lovely wife will come through this.

As for the ultrasound, as someone who had a family memeber suffer through the same exact thing, I can tell you no. Depending on the machines used for the ultrasound sometimes you can not tell. My cousin lost her baby years ago due to the same thing and they did not realize this. The ultra sound is somewhat like an xray machine so it will appear as if the organs are in fact outside the body either way (hence the reason in the pics you cansee the heart beating, the stomache, etc.) The placenta was most likely keeping the baby in decent health the whole time

I suppose we will find out eventually if the MTV cameras were in the room but I seriously do not believe that they knew this ahead of time. Luckily Justine is ok physically. if they knew ahead of time they would have taken the baby out earlier for the sake of her health, god forbid the babys liver ruptured, it could have caused Justine serious physical damage. Doctors wouldnt have left the baby in their had they known.

Again my heart goes out to the family.

Posted at 5:34AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Natalia

62. This is so sad. My heart goes out to them. You could see how badly Justine wanted a baby girl. With God's help, Rev Run will get his family through this tragedy. Bless them all.

Posted at 10:18AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Billie

63. i'm truly sadden by the news of the simmons family my praise go out to the family may bless u and keep u in his ever lastin arm and keep u strong threw this time of lost.

Posted at 8:14AM on Sep 27th 2006 by melinda montgomery

64. im so sorry for there lost my prayers are with the family

Posted at 12:32PM on Sep 27th 2006 by ginaboo2

65. Wow! I love Justine and Run! SHe was so HAPPY to get pregnant and shop for baby clothes..................They need all the prayers and privacy they can get right now. May God bless them and their families.

Posted at 9:02AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Lisa

66. How very sad. My prayers and condolences go out to the Simmons family. They may have had an ultrasound and possibly known of the problem, and had a C-section hoping to save the baby after delivery. Or the ultrasound may have missed it. It doesn't say if they were in a neo-natal unit or not. Or if this delivery was an emergency. From experience, I know ultrasounds are not a 100% way to diagnose everything. Just a tragedy for all of them. I'm glad they are a spiritual family and hope that their faith will carry them through this.

Posted at 8:37AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Patty

67. Regardless if they knew ahead of time or not, this is a very sad, tragic thing to happen. It's possible due to religious beliefs that she carried the baby to term.
My condolences to the Simmons family.

Posted at 9:50AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Vallontina

68. With all their money, able to have the best health care, it's a tragedy that a sonagram or something didn't show this rare occurance.
Aside from that, my prayers and deepest sympathy are with the family.

Posted at 8:47AM on Sep 27th 2006 by estelle

69. I love the show and was so happy for the whole family. What a tragedy. My prayers go out to the family.

Posted at 8:53AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Kerry

70. Why would this be described as a cruel twist of fate. WTF is wrong with you people?
Oh man. I am so sorry for your loss Justine and Rev Run. I'm sure you already know God had plans for that little girl and that He still loves you and continues to bless you. I awaited news of the baby's birth also. Media, please leave them alone and let them grieve in private. Though, I've never been through it, I'm sure it's devastating. They don't need cameras in their face asking them how they feel and how she died. How do you THINK they feel?
What they need to be asking is why their doctor didn't detect this in an ultrasound.

Posted at 9:08AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Ericka

71. May God bless you, Rev. Run and Justine during your grieving process. I truly understand what you are going through so keep God first and pray for strength daily.

Posted at 9:05AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Melissa

72. I am extremely saddened and feel for them at this loss. My son is just about to turn one, and I cannot imagine my life without him. I deeply feel for Justine and the family. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to their family. I pray that the Lord bless and keep them through this tragic time. God bless the baby's soul.

Posted at 9:56AM on Sep 27th 2006 by christiansmom

73. My most heartfelt condolences go to the Simmons family.

To Reverend Run and Justine: your beautiful daughter is in Heaven...God must have needed another angel.

Posted at 8:51AM on Sep 27th 2006 by HeatRock

74. I would like to send my prayers out to the Simmons family intheir time of need. I do not know what it is to lose a child and I can imagine it to be a painful expereince. And me and my family would like to send our deepest condolences out to the family.

Posted at 8:55AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Marshell Logan

75. what a horrible tragedy. i feel so bad for the family.

Posted at 9:00AM on Sep 27th 2006 by Just Me

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