About

In December 2019, Ashley and her former husband, JJ Megat, found out that they were expecting their first child. Soon after, the pregnancy became complicated by a diagnosis of a subchorionic hematoma (SCH), a condition in which blood collects between the uterine wall and the amniotic sac. In an effort to reduce the bleeding and protect the pregnancy, Ashley was placed on partial bed rest.

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In the early morning hours of March 31, 2020, Ashley was rushed to the hospital after going into spontaneous labor. She was diagnosed with cervical insufficiency, a condition that caused her cervix to fully dilate prematurely and led to the rupture of her amniotic membranes. Later that morning, at 9:29 a.m., their son, Joseph Franklin Megat, was stillborn at just 20 weeks gestation—far too early for life-saving medical intervention.

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In Joey’s honor, Ashley now shares their story to bring comfort and connection to other families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. Through The Joey Franklin Foundation—a faith-based nonprofit—memory bags are created and donated to families grieving at any stage of pregnancy.

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Rooted in compassion, faith, and the belief that no family should walk through loss alone, the foundation strives to provide hope and healing in the midst of heartbreak.

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Ashley is also a licensed Birth and Bereavement Doula and an SBA Chaplain, offering compassionate, hands-on support to families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

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It is our hope that these memory items, along with the support and resources we provide, offer comfort, preserve precious memories, and remind every family that they are not alone in their grief.