In Support of Leah Catlin's Burn Support
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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.
Sep 11, 2026
Leah is out of surgery and safely in Momma’s arms.
Update taken from CaringBridge post Sep 11, 2026 5:20 pm Post-surgi...
Sep 11, 2026
9/11/26 1:45 pm Leah has been taken for surgery
They have taken sweet Leah into surgery early.
Sep 11, 2026
9/11/26 - Pray for miracles during today's surgery at 3
Last night's CareBridge update is below. I will add that we also s...
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- Created Sep 09, 2026
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Words of Support
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Dawna Sandala about 2 hours ago • with donation
JoAnn Woodsmall about 8 hours ago • with donation
Sally Schwarz about 9 hours ago • on '9/11/26 1:45 pm Leah has been taken for surgery' update
Anonymous about 12 hours ago • with donation
Lynda Schmitt about 14 hours ago • on '9/11/26 - Pray for miracles during today's surgery at 3' update
Deb McNeil about 14 hours ago • with donation