Ohio family targeted with ‘let the baby die’ sign gets $63,000 for infant’s treatment

After being targeted by a cruel sign in their Ohio town, a family has raised more than $63,000 for treatment for their infant son.

Five-month-old Randy James Ahlers (R.J.) first made headlines back in October when his family tried to raise money to cover medical bills associated with his rare chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 9 Mosaic Syndrome, WTOL reported.

R.J’s family says the disease affects his heart, kidneys and spine and that the center of his brain is underdeveloped, according to WTVG.

Since 1973, about 55 cases of the disorder have been reported, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

The family posted signs near a Toledo mall explaining R.J.’s condition and asking for donations, but not long after, someone posted a sign of their own, according to WTVG.

It said: “Stop asking for money. Let the baby die. It’s called Darwinism. Happy Holidays.”

“I was just appalled,” Angel Ahlers, R.J.’s mom, told WTOL.

Eventually, the Ahlers posted a video to Facebook of themselves removing the sign. That’s when R.J.’s story spread like wildfire.

On Facebook, R.J.’s parents shared that he received a letter in the mail from mega-star Billie Eilish and that Melissa McCarthy had donated a trip to her show “Little Big Shots” as the grand prize for a raffle benefiting little R.J..

The family also started a GoFundMe which ultimately raised $63,787 for R.J.’s treatment, WCVB reported. Since the figure was triple the family’s goal, they’ve since deactivated the account.

On Monday, R.J. saw a doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital who specializes in his rare condition, according to the outlet.

“I think what was given to us for the first time, in Boston, was hope,” KC Ahlers, R.J.’s dad, told WCVB.

To document R.J.’s story, the Ahlers started a Facebook page called Randy James Ahlers, where they post updates on his medical journey.

In February, they’ll travel to Cincinnati to meet with a pediatric neurosurgeon at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, according to a post on the page.

This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Ohio family targeted with ‘let the baby die’ sign gets $63,000 for infant’s treatment."