The sudden death of a baby boy while visiting family in Red Deer has left relatives in mourning and trying to raise money to pay about $100,000 in medical expenses.
Former Albertan Karen Klein, who has been living in Australia, recently brought her four-and-half-month-old son Caleb to Alberta to meet his relatives.
On April 12 during their visit, Caleb died after accidentally cutting off his own air supply.
“It’s pretty heartbreaking. They came to see all the grandmas and grandpas and aunties. It was just tremendous,” Caleb’s grandmother, Debbie Klein of Red Deer, said on Monday.
“We got five (days) that I wouldn’t have traded for the world,” said Debbie, who is the mother of Michael Klein, Caleb’s father.
Unfortunately, the family forgot to get medical insurance for the trip and face huge hospital and ambulance bills. Caleb was rushed by ambulance to Red Deer Regional Hospital for treatment before he was flown by STARS Air Ambulance to Calgary.
“It’s definitely a warning to people when they travel — don’t forget medical insurance.”
The family is asking for the public’s help to deal with the expenses.
Donations can be made at any Royal Bank branch to the Caleb Trust Fund (Transit 08249, Branch 003, Account 512-2122).
More information is available on Facebook at the Caleb Klein Memorial Trust Fund.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5508-48A Ave.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com