Donations continue to roll in for 2-year-old Tripp Halstead, and his family says those generous contributions are vital because they do not expect to receive any money from the day care facility where he was hurt. Tripp's family has voiced support for the child care center, but they acknowledge that the center did not have liability insurance.
Tripp suffered critical head injuries last month when a tree branch fell on him outside the Winder day care center. He is now undergoing rehabilitation.
Under Georgia law, the state urges day care providers to carry liability insurance, and mandates notification to parents if the center does not have coverage. But, the law does not require facilities to have liability insurance.
The state has concluded that the facility followed the rules, and posted the required notices that it did not carry coverage.
"I think the more important thing is that parents know the situation their child is going into, and in this circumstance, that there is or is not liability insurance at the facility, and then use that to decide this is an appropriate facility for their child," said Bobby Cagle, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
Tripp's story has touched people across the country, and countless fundraisers are being held to benefit him. In fact, just this past Tuesday, the Popeye's Chicken in Winder donated 10 percent of their sales to support his recovery.
Through Facebook posts, Tripp's mom, Stacy, has acknowledged the aid, saying, "So we will not be getting any money from the daycare or any kind of settlement. That is why these donations and fundraisers have touched our hearts so deeply."
She has also said, "It was a freak accident and as I have said in earlier posts, as soon as Tripp is able, he will be right back at the same daycare."
By phone, the owner of the day care center told FOX 5's Paul Yates that she now has liability insurance, but did not carry coverage at the time because it was difficult for a small facility to pay for it.
Late Thursday in a Facebook post, Tripp's mother said she's encouraged by word that doctors think Tripp is ready for new surgery next month.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:41 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:41:39 GMT
Sudden rains caused flash flooding in parts of the metro Atlanta area on Monday.
Sudden rains caused flash flooding in parts of the metro Atlanta area on Monday. The Georgia Department of Transportation said that northbound lanes of Interstate 75 at Forest Parkway were closed after the roadway was flooded.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:36:57 GMT
Tyler Perry is donating $50,000 to help a good Samaritan left paralyzed from the waist down after risking his life to save a young girl swept away by a creek.
Tyler Perry is donating $50,000 to help a good Samaritan left paralyzed from the waist down after risking his life to save a young girl swept away by a creek.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:48:40 GMT
The committee overseeing the new Atlanta Falcons stadium plans chose a preliminary stadium design on Monday.Back in April, a tentative agreement for the Kansas City-based 360 Architecture was approved
The committee overseeing the new Atlanta Falcons stadium plans chose a preliminary stadium design on Monday.Back in April, a tentative agreement for the Kansas City-based 360 Architecture was approved
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.
