Katie and her family are finally able to accept help now that CPS officially closed their case last week. After more than a year of living in fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak, they are beginning the long road to healing, and they need support.

For 379 days, Katie and Steven were separated from full custody of their babies after seeking medical help for their infant daughter, Caroline. What began as a hospital visit for five days of vomiting turned into a devastating chain reaction. Doctors found small brain bleeds that could not be dated and launched a child abuse investigation, despite multiple specialists stating Caroline’s findings were not consistent with abuse and could be explained by a known medical condition (BESS), her traumatic birth, and severe vomiting. Those medical opinions were ignored.

CPS took temporary custody of both children. To keep their babies in their own home, the grandparents moved in full-time while Katie and Steven were forced to move out. For months, they slept elsewhere, waking before dawn every day to be present for their children’s mornings and evenings, never allowed to be alone with them. They endured constant monitoring, parenting classes, invasive medical testing for both children, and endless court dates all while maintaining jobs and trying to survive emotionally.

The process dragged on far longer than promised. Steven ultimately lost his job due to the demands of the case. The family spent and has been billed tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees and related costs. Their mental health suffered deeply; Katie was later diagnosed with PTSD. Holidays, first birthdays, and irreplaceable milestones were stolen during what should have been the most joyful year of their lives.

After nearly a year, police concluded there was no evidence of abuse, no charges were filed, and last week CPS officially closed the case. Katie and Steven finally have their babies back, fully and permanently!

This GoFundMe is to help them recover from the financial devastation and begin healing from unimaginable trauma. They did what loving parents are supposed to do: they sought medical care for their sick child.

If you’re able to donate, share, or simply hold this family in your heart, thank you. Your support helps them rebuild, rest, and move forward together ❤️