'Go Fund Me' Appeal for Couple Who Lost 6-Week Old Baby Tops $10K

The community came together and opened their hearts for an Aquebogue couple who lost their six-week old baby in November.

So far, the Go Fund Me page has brought in over $10,500.

Little Joshua Caleb Palladino had been fighting for his young life after complications at birth, a Go Fund Me page set up by Jamie Galloway said.

Initially, the page was set up to help raise funds to help deal with mounting medical costs and other expenses, as Joshua's parents, Angie and Keith Palladino of Aquebogue spent every moment at their baby's side.

But after the infant lost his battle, Jamie Galloway said the page has helped to raise funds for the baby's funeral and other expenses.

And a caring community sent in donations steadily — the number is still climbing.

"We met up with Angie a few nights ago and she was absolutely speechless from the outpouring of our community. In her own words, 'I cannot believe this many people care about us and what we are going through. We would have already sunk into a deep hole if it weren't for their kindness'. Thank you all again for helping to put a smile on her face," Galloway wrote on the page this week.

Hearts were broken as people read about the tragedy.

"This beautiful baby that I just heard about yesterday is gone today," wrote Jennifer Moore Giovanniello-Becker of Southold on Facebook. "Joshua Caleb passed away at about 10 p.m., surrounded by his family. This family still needs help. Besides not working for the last six weeks to be at his hospital bedside, they now have to pay for a wake and funeral for this six-week old baby. I cannot begin to imagine their pain."

She added, "This is a tragedy that is in our backyard and could have been any one of us. Hug your kids extra today. Do it for Caleb's parents, who won't get to hug him anymore."

Joshua's mom Angie is a familiar face in the community; she works as an X-ray technician at North Fork radiology.

The Go Fund Me page tells the story of Joshua Caleb's short life. Born on Oct. 7, he weighed seven pounds, six ounces and was 19 inches long — he was his parents' first child.

"What should have been the most joyous day of their life quickly turned into tragedy," Jamie Galloway wrote on the Go Fund Me page. "Since that day Joshua has been fighting for his life in Stony Brook University Hospital, and we recently learned this is a battle he will ultimately lose. Joshua's parents, Keith and Angie, have been by his side since he was born and will be until his final moments. While they have been out of work and holding his hand, the medical bills have been piling up. If that isn't difficult enough, they no have to do they unthinkable and to find a way to bury their beautiful angel."

Added Galloway: "There is no goal amount set because I don't see how we can put a dollar sign on this beautiful little boy's life. There are no words of comfort we can offer but any donations to help this heartbroken family with some of their financial burden is greatly appreciated."

To donate, click here.

"No amount of money could take their pain away," Galloway said. "But while they were out of work and holding his hand, the bills began to pile up. Angie and Keith are caring, generous, beautiful people with a very strong faith. When they have, they give. They are always there to help others in a time of need. This is their time of need."