Actress Sharon Stone shared devastating news to her fans and followers regarding her godson and nephew, River.
On August 27, Sharon posted a picture of 11-month-old River in the hospital, attached to wires and tubes.
"My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib w total organ failure today. Please pray for him," she wrote. "We need a miracle." Celebrities from Sharon Osbourne to Kate Hudson gave their best wishes and regards for the boy's health. Unfortunately, days later, Sharon stated the boy had lost his battle.
River was the third child of Sharon's brother Patrick and his wife, Tasha.
The incident was a reminder of how fragile life is — especially for young babies. Tasha posted a heartbreaking tribute to her son on Facebook, admitting that her life would never be the same again. Losing a child, and watching your child struggle, is more than many people can bear.
"God needed River in Heaven," she wrote. "I can't say more than I needed him here on Earth because my heart is shattered into a million pieces. My days will never be the same and I have no idea how I am supposed to live my life without the sweetest boy in the universe. I am crushed."
"River William Stone you were loved beyond measure," Tasha continued. "Leaving your hospital room today was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I will ALWAYS love you my sweet baby boy."
Sharon shared the news by simply posting his dates. "River William Stone, Sept. 8, 2020 – Aug. 30, 2021," she noted.
Tasha knew that the news wouldn't be good the moment he was hospitalized. "He was life flighted to Children’s UPMC Pittsburgh last night/early morning and is not doing so well," she said on Facebook. "He is in a coma currently and I am dying. Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back. The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same." The post brought on 440 comments of people wishing River the best.
"I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who love him so very much," Tasha said. "I am beyond heartbroken." The situation she went through is something no mother should suffer from.
It's unclear as to how the organ damage happened or if there were any prior signs before hospitalization. But one of the culprits might have been sepsis. According to Yale Medicine, sepsis affects approximately 75,000 children per year and is considered to be life-threatening.
Sepsis can start from a cut or scrape that gets infected, especially in kids with weaker immune systems. The severe reaction is linked to organ failure as well as tissue damage. And even worse, oftentimes there aren't many signs that sepsis is happening until a child is already in the danger zone.
It's often difficult to find in children, especially since a lot of signs of sepsis — such as a fever — are seen in other conditions. No matter what, it's devastating for any parent to come to terms with. River's short life was, without a doubt, filled with love and happiness.
Sharon knows firsthand about the amount of love you can have for your child. She's a mom of three sons herself — Quinn, 15; Laird, 16; and Roan, 21. Her children were adopted, and it's obvious she's quite proud of all three of them.
Hopefully, Sharon, Tasha, Patrick, and the rest of the family can have their time and a healthy amount of privacy to grieve the loss of River. It's never easy to lose someone, especially someone so young. Infant loss happens more often than you might think, but it's never easy.
