In a post on Friday morning, Tripp's mom, Stacy, called his infection serious and life-threatening, according to doctors following his surgery. A couple of hours later, his dad, Bill, posted an update with specifics of his condition, saying he is battling "meningitis and inflammation in
his ventricles, he has infection in his blood so they are also saying he
has sepsis."
The 2-year-old Winder boy has been hospitalized since late October after being struck by a large tree branch outside his daycare. He's being treated at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
After Tripp was unable to sleep, doctors discovered he had contacted bacterial meningitis, which is an infection in his brain.
"Please pray pray pray. They are taking him in for emergency surgery to remove the shunt and the pump. He has bacterial meningitis which is very life threatening," his mom wrote in a post on Thursday afternoon.
His grandmother told FOX 5 that an operation was needed to remove a shunt on his head and a pump near his abdomen, both which were apparent sources of the infection for the brain. In a second Facebook post, which went up around 8:30 p.m., Tripp's father said that the family was still waiting for an operating room, as other children in greater need went before them.
Then, around 1 a.m. Friday morning, his mom posted an update that they had finally been allowed to see him after surgery.
"Tripp looked so pitiful. Wires coming out of his head, breathing tube down his throat, so pale and still shaking a bit. They had heating pads on his arms and feet trying to figure where to put another IV in him. I pray he sleeps all night."
She also wrote that even though Tripp's shunt and pump were successfully removed, he's not out of the woods. She says Tripp he still has to deal with the meningitis and remaining infection, and then have his shunt put back in.
"Still got a long road ahead of us. Thanks for hanging in here with us. We need all the support we can get right now," she wrote.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:33 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:33:57 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:31:23 GMT
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Sunday, March 31 2013 6:55 PM EDT2013-03-31 22:55:12 GMT
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
It was a homecoming thousands had been waiting for the last few months. The parents of Tripp Halstead tell FOX 5 News that they are overwhelmed that their little boy is back at home.
Friday, March 22 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-03-23 03:38:32 GMT
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters.
Tripp Halstead's family is once again able to use Facebook to communicate with the 2-year-old's supporters. FOX 5 contacted Facebook on behalf of the Halstead family after their access was restricted, and it has since been restored.
Tuesday, February 19 2013 9:52 PM EST2013-02-20 02:52:48 GMT
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again.
Tripp Halstead's mother says he's recovering after another unexpected surgery on Tuesday. The 2-year-old's doctors operated on him again, this time to remove and replace an external shunt after he recently developed bacterial meningitis.
Monday, February 18 2013 10:04 PM EST2013-02-19 03:04:12 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he is now battling bacterial meningitis and a life-threatening infection after undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday. Get the latest updates on his condition here.
Tripp Halstead has experienced a serious setback, his mother reports on his Facebook page. After Tripp was unable to sleep, doctors discovered he had contacted bacterial meningitis.
Friday, February 8 2013 5:43 AM EST2013-02-08 10:43:03 GMT
Tripp Halstead's parents say he's scheduled to go home on Friday.
Tripp Halstead's parents say he could be headed home soon. The 2-year-old Winder boy has gone from the brink of death to thriving after suffering traumatic brain injury when a tree limb fell on him at his day care in late October last year.
1551 Briarcliff Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30306
Main Number: (404) 875-5555 News Tips: (404) 898-0100
Tripp Halstead is recovering after being hit in the head by a large tree branch (photo by Halstead family)
