In Support of Leah Catlin's Burn Support
Hello family and friends,
While camping with her family over Labor Day, 2½-year-old Leah suffered a tragic accident when she tripped and fell into a fire ring. She was rushed to a local hospital and later airlifted to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, where she underwent her first surgery that same evening.
Leah's hands and arms were the most severely affected, though she also sustained burns to her torso, legs, and feet. Following surgery, doctors determined that she had sustained third-degree burns to her hands and arms, injuries that will require multiple skin grafts and additional surgeries.
On Tuesday, September 8, Leah was transferred to the burn unit at Riley Children's Hospital, in Indianapolis, where a specialized surgical team continues to evaluate and treat her injuries. As her care progresses, it has become clear that she will need several more surgeries and an extended recovery process.
On Wednesday, September 9th, the Riley team confirmed her burns are severe. They are most concerned about her fingertips and right wrist. Leah is scheduled for additional surgery this week, followed by another next week, and multiple more as they begin the skin grafting process.
On Wednesday, September 9th, the Riley team confirmed her burns are severe. They are most concerned about her fingertips and right wrist. Leah is scheduled for additional surgery this week, followed by another next week, and multiple more as they begin the skin grafting process.
This heartbreaking accident has placed an enormous emotional and financial burden on Leah's family. Her father, Drake Catlin, the family's sole provider, has or will miss a significant amount of work in order to be by her side during this difficult time and her mother, Joy McDaniel Catlin, as she also continues to be at Leah's bedside while also caring for Leah's younger brother.
This fundraiser has been established to help ease some of the family's financial stress by assisting with expenses such as travel, fuel, meals, lodging, and other costs associated with Leah's ongoing medical care. Any support, whether through prayer, donation, gift cards, meals, or by sharing Leah's story, is deeply appreciated as her family focuses on her healing and recovery. Additional updates are also provided on Leah's CaringBridge site.
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Nov 11, 2026
Meet Liberty
Today is one week from Leah’s laser surgery. The hardest thing is t...
Nov 05, 2026
Update from yesterday’s CareBridge update
Leah had a successful laser procedure this afternoon. Her procedure...
Oct 28, 2026
Another surgery
Leah saw the surgeon today 10/28/26. As we expected Leah is going t...
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- Created Sep 09, 2026
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Hazelwelker 12 days ago • on 'Another surgery' update
Patti Coghill 12 days ago • with donation
Joe G 23 days ago • on 'Conscious sedation coming soon' update
Anonymous 25 days ago • with donation
Katyratcliff 25 days ago • on 'A rough day' update
Anonymous 26 days ago • with donation