Join Hattie's Journey to Recovery

On May 26, 2025, Justin and Decie Mangrum welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Hattie Marie, into the world. What should have been a joyful and peaceful arrival quickly turned into an urgent medical battle.

Just days after birth, baby Hattie began struggling to breathe and was rushed to the NICU. Doctors discovered she was born with a large Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) — an 11mm hole in her heart — along with pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition that makes it difficult for her lungs to get enough oxygen.

She was airlifted to Texas Children’s Hospital where she has been on respiratory support since birth, first on CPAP and now gradually transitioning to nasal cannula. Hattie has faced numerous challenges including a dangerous blood infection, fevers, and several invasive tests like spinal taps and multiple blood cultures.

Despite all the hurdles, Hattie has shown incredible resilience. She has been steadily improving, recently taking her first bottle and having her feeding tube removed — milestones that give hope for her recovery.

Why the Mangrum Family Needs Your Support

Justin serves our Nacogdoches community as a deputy with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, and Decie works in the Records Division. They have dedicated themselves to public service. Now, it is our turn to pay it back!

This prolonged hospital stay, specialized medical care, and the uncertainty ahead mean mounting medical bills and added financial strain. They are away from home, focusing every moment on their precious daughter’s care.

Your support will help cover medical expenses, hospital stays, travel costs, and daily needs so that Justin and Decie can keep their focus where it matters most — on baby Hattie’s fight for health and life.

Please join us in supporting the Mangrum family during this incredibly difficult time. Every prayer, every dollar, every share helps.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

-The Mangrum Family