Kenley Ratliff, a joyful 2-year-old, was like any other young child – full of life and happiness.
Regrettably, her family recently faced a devastating loss when Kenley was tragically taken from them too soon.
Now, Kenley’s mother is sharing her story to raise awareness among parents and prevent such a tragedy from happening to other children.
Kenley resided with her family in Indiana and, like most toddlers, loved playing outdoors in the backyard. Little did they know that this simple joy would have fatal consequences.
In an unexpected turn of events, playing in the grass exposed Kenley to a danger that no one anticipated – a danger that claimed her life.
A few weeks ago, Kenley suddenly developed a high fever one night. Her parents rushed her to the hospital, where she was initially diagnosed with a common throat infection. Despite being sent home, Kenley’s condition did not improve, leading to multiple hospital visits.
To their dismay, Kenley’s health rapidly deteriorated – she experienced a soaring temperature, swollen hands, and a rash covering her body.
“Seeing this poor baby in that helpless state was a nightmare for every parent,” expressed Nichol Kirby, a family friend, to WISH.
The situation worsened, leading to Kenley’s parents rushing her to the emergency room on May 30. This time, doctors recognized the severity of her condition and promptly administered antibiotics.
It was then revealed that Kenley had contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease transmitted by ticks to animals. Symptoms include fever, rash, and bacterial infections, with Kenley developing a severe brain infection.
To cover her treatment costs, Kenley’s parents initiated a GoFundMe campaign.
“Currently on life support, surrounded by her family’s love, we are praying for a miracle for this precious baby,” the family shared at that time.
Tragically, on June 3, all hope faded away, and the anticipated miracle never arrived. The family faced the heart-wrenching decision of removing Kenley from life support.
Kenley Ratliff peacefully passed away in her sleep, surrounded by her parents, and big sister, at the young age of 2.
Despite their profound loss, Kenley’s family is determined to raise awareness about their daughter’s fate in hopes of protecting other children from a similar fate in the future.
“Our mission is to educate about Rocky Mountain spotted fever to prevent other children from suffering,” the family emphasized. “Join us in spreading awareness!”
While many are aware of the risks associated with ticks, there are still those who need to be informed! Share this family’s cautionary tale and diligently check for ticks on yourself and your children after outdoor activities.
Ticks can be challenging to spot without a thorough search, and timely removal reduces the risk of infection.
