Bringing Up Bates star Josie Bates suffered a miscarriage while pregnant with her second child with husband Kelton Balka.
“Sometimes you have to walk through experiences you never thought you would have to. This has been a very difficult time for our little family,” the reality star, 21, revealed via Instagram on Wednesday, September 9. “Kelton and I were over the moon excited to be expecting a sweet baby in March, 2021! We were filled with anticipation as we began to dream of what it would be like as a family of four and for [daughter] Willow to have a little playmate. We surprised our family and friends with the news at Willow’s one year old birthday party! Already, my heart felt an unexplainable amount of excitement! Sadly, when I went for a recent ultrasound, we were heartbroken to hear our precious baby had gone to be with Jesus.”
Bates explained the couple’s devastation about the news. “Our hearts have been completely broken. I’ve never experienced the type of pain and loss that I’ve had these past weeks,” she wrote. “There is an empty spot in our hearts and in our home. Even though we never got to see our baby face to face or hold its tiny hand, we know God has a purpose for its short life. In spite of our grieving, we have peace in knowing that our little baby is in heaven with Kelton’s sweet mom.”
The TV personality also commemorated their baby in a special way. “I added a charm to my necklace, next to Willow’s, to help us never forget the memories of how this little one made us feel and how much love and joy it brought to our family,” she concluded. “We are grateful for the love and prayers from so many during this time.”
Us Weekly broke the news that Bates and Balka, 25, tied the knot in October 2018. She announced in February 2019 that she was expecting their first child. They welcomed daughter Willow in July 2019.
The businessman paid tribute to the hairstylist in August for her birthday. “You do not make excuses for the cards life hands you, you wake up every day and go get it yourself. You are a straight winner,” he gushed on Instagram at the time. “I love you and I’m so proud of what the Lord has allowed you to accomplish. I’m so proud of the gracious, confident, and loving person you have become. Willow and I love you so much and we’re so thankful to be on your team.”
