Tessa Shelton’s water broke early Christmas Eve morning while on a family vacation in Moab, Utah, at 32 weeks pregnant. Her family brought her to the local ER, where she was quickly loaded onto an ambulance with her husband, Donald, and they took a 4-hour ride to a hospital with a NICU near Salt Lake City. Colter Theo Shelton was born at 4lb 7oz on Christmas Day. He was immediately transported to the NICU where he will remain for the next 6-8 weeks while he continues to “cook,” as his mom and dad fondly say. Tessa is doing well and was released from the hospital on Dec. 27th.

While we are thrilled baby Colter is strong and doing well, Tessa and Donald are now grappling with the reality that they are unexpectedly displaced in Utah away from their support network and incomes for the next 6-8 weeks while they wait to be able to bring Colter home.

While we are confident their expenses will certainly exceed $15,000, we are hoping to help offset some of their current stress while they focus on caring for their sweet baby boy these next few weeks/months and focus on getting what they most immediately need to take him back to Washington. 

Funds will go towards: 

Apart from financial support, prayers and encouraging notes are also appreciated.

*Please Note:* While Donald and Tessa would love to hear from you, we ask that you refrain from reaching out directly to the couple as they are spending their time in the NICU with Colter and are unable to respond to multiple messages at this time. Instead, please leave messages or ask questions on this page below and the new parents will see and respond as they are able. Thank you for your understanding!