FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's note: The video in this story is from a previous report.
It's been almost half a year after doctors said an infant daughter of a Georgia deputy would not live to see three months old. This March, she's showing off her Easter best.
Adeline Burks, 5 months old, is ready to celebrate Easter with her family after spending much of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) fighting several health challenges, including battling rhinovirus, viral bronchiolitis, and meningitis.
Back in November, Adeline Burks' father, Forsyth County Deputy Sheriff Nathan Burks, asked people to send in letters to support the family. He said that hundreds of 11Alive viewers did just that.
"On October 25, 2023, we welcomed Adeline to our family," Nathan previously said. "On November 16, 2023, we added thousands more to our family - all of you. The love and support we have received is still overwhelming."
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Adeline Burks' mom, Bella Burks, had a high-risk pregnancy. Nathan said they had weekly consultations with specialists leading up to her birth.
The challenges did not end there. Just one day after Adeline's birth, her mother experienced a pulmonary edema, resulting in a week-long hospitalization. The family's resilience was tested again on Nov. 16, when concerns about Adeline's well-being led to a visit to the pediatrician.
That's when medical officials called EMS and had Adeline taken to Scottish Rite for further care until she returned home in February. Nathan said she's doing well, but there's still a long way to go in her recovery.
"We are happy to announce that Adeline is doing phenomenally, and while the road is long, she continues to make a full recovery," Nathan said. "It’s hard to think just a few months ago, the doctors told us there was a chance she wouldn’t see the new year - and now here we are this week celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. We serve an awesome God.”
Nathan said he's proud of how far his daughter has come, adding that he's finally returning to full-time at the sheriff's office on Friday.
