FAMILY OF FLU VICTIM, 4, OFFERS THANKS

Boy, 4, with flu died even after treatment at Dayton hospital.

The family of the 4-year-old boy who died from flu-related complications said they are thankful for the community support they have received.

The child, Jonah Rieben of Clayton, died Jan. 6 after being admitted to Dayton Children’s Hospital. It was the first pediatric flu-related death in Ohio this year. Last flu season Ohio recorded seven pediatric deaths.

Jonah had several underlying medical conditions for which he was being treated. He died just a few hours after the initial onset of flu symptoms, according to his parents, Richard and Valerie Rieben.

His older brother, Nikolai, who also has underlying medical conditions, was admitted to Dayton Children’s on Wednesday following the onset of symptoms and is receiving treatment. He is in stable condition.

“At this point he is stable and doing very well,” Valerie Rieben said.

Richard Rieben said the family is thankful for the staff at Dayton Children’s and for supportive family and friends.

The parents said Jonah’s favorite place to be was in the middle of the family, surrounded by his parents and his 17 older siblings. If he was ever not already part of the fun, he’d beg to be included.

“His older brothers and sisters absolutely adored him,” Valerie Rieben said.

Jonah was born in Bulgaria and adopted in February 2017.

Richard Rieben said their family, the adoption community and special needs community as well as their church have supported the family and reached out.

“For a while we’ve belonged to unique groups. You know, you belong to the ‘special needs parents’ group. You belong to the ‘big family’ group. The group I didn’t think I was ready to join was the group that has lost a young child,” Richard Rieben said. “So learning to be part of that group is going to be a significant challenge.”

Valerie Rieben said with adoption, it’s amazing to see their children come from difficult places and thrive.

“Even if we knew what we’d have to go through, through losing a child, we’d say yes all over again,” she said. “It’s a difficult thing but the joy, the absolute joy, that Jonah brought into our lives and all of our children bring into our lives makes any sorrow that comes along with it worth it.”