Baby boy comes home after 17-month stay in NICU

On Monday, a boy who spent 17 months in the UNC Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Chapel Hill got to go home with his family.

Phillip had the longest stay ever by a premature newborn in the UNC NICU.

“This is a day we hoped and prayed for. We are overwhelmed with gratitude,” said Georganna Gaines, Phillip’s Mom. "This was always our goal, to get this boy home."

UNC Children’s nurses and other employees played Christmas music and cheered for Phillip as he wore a cap and gown and before going home to Dunn.

In Phillip's community, many friends and neighbors celebrated their arrival.

WRAL News has reached out to Georganna and hopes to talk with her soon.