Local News

Toddler Tripp Halstead back in the hospital

April 2, 2013

It was a short-lived homecoming for the Barrow County toddler critically injured five months ago by a falling tree limb.

After leaving Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite on Friday, Tripp Halstead returned by ambulance Monday morning, his family said. Monday afternoon, the 2-year-old remained in the hospital’s emergency room, his mother posted on the boy’s Facebook page.

“Tripp had fought so hard for the past 5 months, and he is going to keep on fighting,” Stacy Halstead wrote shortly after 5 p.m.

The toddler had a difficult Sunday night that included a fever, vomiting and elevated blood pressure, his family said. A nurse providing in-home care for Tripp urged the Halsteads to return to the hospital.

“We have seen all these symptoms but never all at once, so when our nurse got to the house, she confirmed that we should call 911 and she was right so here we are,” Stacy Halstead posted.

Doctors at the hospital determined through blood tests that Tripp’s liver enzymes are elevated, the family said. Elevated liver enzymes can be indicative of a variety of conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Tripp was injured Oct. 29 when winds attributed to Hurricane Sandy brought a tree limb down on the playground of his daycare center. The limb fell onto the toddler’s head, fracturing his skull. Tripp has undergone more than a dozen surgeries since the accident.

Various community fundraisers have been held to benefit the Halstead family, including Monday at two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Paulding County.

About the Author

Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team.

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