Infection risk growing for teen burn victim
Layne Chesney was scheduled to undergo latest surgery Monday.
Doctors are worried about rising white blood cell count for Layne Chesney, 14, who was burned over 95 percent of her body at bonfire.
FORT PIERCE — A 14-year-old girl burned over 95 percent of her body during a New Year’s Eve bonfire was set to undergo her latest surgery Monday while doctors expressed concern regarding the growing risk of infection, according to a Facebook page run by family members.
Layne Chesney remained in critical but stable condition at Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami-Dade County. Layne has been in a medically induced coma since she was flown to the hospital following the fire and has undergone several surgeries.
“Well, with good news comes bad news too,” according to a post by Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney, Layne’s mother, on the Prayers for Layne Chesney Facebook page. “The doctor just informed me we were beginning to get into trouble with Layne’s infections. Her white blood cell count keeps climbing. He will be consulting other physicians at different hospitals to get help in battling these life threatening infec-
tions. Please pray that doctors can find a way to keep her here with us.
“The doctor is worried so we are double worried — Please pray for Layne to be strong enough to battle these infections.”
Another post on Monday morning indicated that Layne’s infections were affecting her hand and side.
Layne’s mother had posted a more positive message Saturday stating that her daughter was “keeping her eyes open for long periods of time. She’s is non-verbally answering our questions by nodding and moving her head. Watching a miracle daily!”
A St. Lucie County Sheriff ’s Office’s report said Chesney WANT TO HELP?
Visit Layne Chesney’s GoFundMe page online at www.gofundme. com/47mcu5-supportleigh-chesney-and-family. Wednesday’s fundraiser at Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. For details, call 772528-3467.
was sitting around a bonfire in suburban Fort Pierce on Dec. 31 when she picked up a can of gasoline to fuel the fire. The can exploded in her hands and covered her in flames, officials said.
Hunter Holmes, the 18-year-old whose house she was at, and his parents attempted to put out the fire. All four were taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce and later transferred to the hospital west of Miami.
A family friend told CNN that Layne burned every part of her body except the bottom of her feet.
Layne plays shortstop on the varsity softball team at Lincoln Park Academy, where she is in ninth grade. She also plays on a travel softball team, the Jensen Beach Wildcats, which won a national championship this past summer.
An online GoFundMe account created for Layne has raised nearly $54,000 as of Monday. A fundraiser is also set for 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Big Apple Pizza at 2311 S. 35th St. in Fort Pierce, near the Indian River State College campus. Call 772-5283467 for more information.