TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - The Toledo Police Department and members of the community are rallying behind a young officer and his wife after they received a little surprise last week. WTOL 11 was the only station to sit down with the organizer of a fundraiser put together to help.
Officer Michael Ellerbrock's wife Kaitlyn was rushed to the hospital after having a seizure. It was then, while being treated, that doctors discovered she was 23 weeks pregnant. Ellerbrock and his wife had no idea and were shocked when doctors said they would have to deliver their son Carson 17 weeks premature.
Now, as Kaitlyn recovers, this young couple faces mounting medical bills as well as a new baby they were not prepared for.
That's why Danielle Dressel, widow of the late TPD detective Keith Dressel, decided to step in and asked on Facebook for help for this family.
“It's going to be a long hard road for them and I am sure they are shocked and confused and very lost with what to do,” said Dressel. “It's heartbreaking, he's one of us, he's a police officer and we care about every single one of them, we're a family… I wanted to help.”
Donations and gifts are now being dropped off at the TPPA hall for one pound, three ounce Carson. A GoFundMe page has also been set up and companies from all over have offered to help.
“I actually talked with him and I actually said, ‘I can't believe how much people are offering to help already. This is going to be a little bigger than I thought.' So, it's a good thing they need all the help they can get, they are so grateful for it too,” said Dressel.
If you would like to help this new family by making a donation
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