'I don't know how I am going to do this': Community donates $39,000 to father left to raise two children after his partner, 35, dies during emergency C-section

  • Lauren Weller, 35, sadly lost her life following an emergency C-section in New Jersey on Saturday, March 22
  • She left behind her 26-year-old boyfriend, Josh, 4-year-old daughter Lexxi and new-born baby Chloe

By James Nye

PUBLISHED: 08:27 EST, 31 March 2014 | UPDATED: 09:52 EST, 31 March 2014

A 26-year-old New Jersey dad is facing up to life as a single father - after his girlfriend died giving birth to their second child.

Josh Dempe lost Lauren Weller, 35, last Saturday evening following the birth of their baby girl Chloe by emergency Caesarean section.

Now the local community has rallied around Josh, already raising more than $39,000 online for the father now left to raise a baby and his 4-year-old daughter Lexxi.

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Tragic: Josh Dempe with his new-born daughter Chloe and four-year-old Lexxi. The three lost Lauren Weller on Saturday March 22 after she died following complications from a Caesarean birth

Tragic: Josh Dempe with his new-born daughter Chloe and four-year-old Lexxi. The three lost Lauren Weller on Saturday March 22 after she died following complications from a Caesarean birth

Sad: Pregnant and glowing as they stand in front of a Christmas tree at the end of last year - Lauren Weller, little Lexxi and Josh must have been excited for the new year and the new addition to their family

Sad: Pregnant and glowing as they stand in front of a Christmas tree at the end of last year - Lauren Weller, little Lexxi and Josh must have been excited for the new year and the new addition to their family

'The baby was born at 1.30 Saturday afternoon and Lauren's heart stopped by 6'o'clock the same day,' said Josh to Fox News.

'I don't know how i am going to go back to work, I don't know how I can raise two kids at home.'

 

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Friends of hair-stylist Lauren and welder Josh, set up a gofundme campaign online and have begun accepting gifts for the baby to help Josh with the challenges ahead.

Lauren died unexpectedly at Chilton Memorial Hospital on March 22.

Single father: Josh said that he will need to rely heavily on his family to help him raise his two girls now that their mother has tragically died

Single father: Josh said that he will need to rely heavily on his family to help him raise his two girls now that their mother has tragically died

Loving kiss: Josh comforts Lexxi while they both struggle to come to terms with the loss of Lauren Weller

Loving kiss: Josh comforts Lexxi while they both struggle to come to terms with the loss of Lauren Weller

Summer: Josh, Lauren and Lexxi enjoy the warm weather on the New Jersey shore before the tragic events of March unfolded
Summer: Josh, Lauren and Lexxi enjoy the warm weather on the New Jersey shore before the tragic events of March unfolded

Summer: Josh, Lauren and Lexxi enjoy the warm weather on the New Jersey shore before the tragic events of March unfolded

According to her obituary, 'Lauren's love for life, family and her dear friends was and will always be immeasurable and boundless.

'Her passing will remain an insurmountable loss for the many whose lives she touched and those that knew and loved her.'

Silivia Mastropole, the owner of Euphoria Salon and Day Sap said that Weller had worked for her over the past year and that her salon had received 'an overwhelming response' from those who were trying to help.

A Service was held for Weller at Morrison Funeral Home in Butler on Saturday, March 29. 

To Donate: Visit Here: http://www.gofundme.com/7qeyjw

FOX 10 News | myfoxphoenix.com

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What ever happened to life insurance. Way to much of this going on.

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What's wrong with people nowadays they are not ashamed to beg? Everybody is asking for donations like they are disabled or something. My grandfather had nine children and he educated all of them by himself because my grandma didn't work like most women of those days and left money to them.This man can't do the same with two? Don't tell me time has changed those people had it bad also but they lived within their means.Geez and get life insurance before your child is born.

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I feel badly for this young man. It's tragic to lose one's partner under any circumstance, and to have new born too. But, what about all the single mothers out there? Who's taking up donations for them? They have to work, raise kids, tend the home¿ all alone.

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This man needs to get a lawyer & have his wife's death investigated.

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This just in... Single father from New Jersey blows thousands of dollars in donations on tattoos, piercings, and booze for him and his buddies.

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I have a splinter in my big toe that makes it hard for me to fathom going to work...so painful. Would someone please be so kind as to set up a GoFundMe page for me? $40,000 could give me a bit of a break. I could use one.

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Sooner give my money to this fellow than the one whose wife chose to get pregnant and have a child when she was advised not to and went ahead anyway even though she had cancer.

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You are posting in the wrong story. She did not have cancer.

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It's hard to have pity when her death could have easily been prevented. Men should stop and think about the woman's health before they get her pregnant.

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Always have your life insurance policies squared away before having children. I hear people tell me they can't afford life insurance, yet they smoke, drink, have cable, cell phones etc. I just can't imagine leaving my children without financial security. This man won't make enough to cover childcare & living expenses alone. Very sad

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ok sarah..what did you give up? how much life insurance do you have?

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DM - you should cover the story of Stacie Livermore Napoli, a West Allis, WI police detective who died after giving birth to twins last month. The community raised over $50,000 in just a few days.

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