Bringing Up Bates’ Josie Bates reveals that she suffered a miscarriage: ‘Our hearts have been completely broken’
Josie Bates shared the sad news on Wednesday that she had suffered a miscarriage.
The 21-year-old Bringing Up Bates star posted a somber photo of her and her husband Kelton Balka embracing while opening up about the loss.
The couple previously welcomed their 13-month-old daughter Willow in July 2019.
In the photo, Kelton sweetly kissed Josie’s forehead as she gazed out at the shore.
‘Sometimes you have to walk through experiences you never thought you would have to,’ she began.
‘This has been a very difficult time for our little family. Kelton and I were over the moon excited to be expecting a sweet baby in March, 2021!’ she gushed.
‘We were filled with anticipation as we began to dream of what it would be like as a family of four and for 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. Our hearts have been completely broken,’ Josie wrote.
Sad news: Josie Bates, 21, revealed Wednesday on Instagram that she had miscarried her second pregnancy with her husband Kelton Balka
Loss: ‘I’ve never experienced the type of pain and loss that I’ve had these past weeks. There is an empty spot in our hearts and in our home,’ she wrote
‘I’ve never experienced the type of pain and loss that I’ve had these past weeks. 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,’ she continued. ‘In spite of our grieving, we have peace in knowing that our little baby is in heaven with Kelton’s sweet mom.’
A second photo that Josie posted showed her holding a necklace with two gold charms in her hand.
‘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. We are grateful for the love and prayers from so many during this time,’ she concluded.
Loving couple: Josie and Kelton have been married since October 2018, when they had an outdoor ceremony at Cove Lake State Park in the shadow of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains
New parents: In February 2019, the couple broke the news that they were expecting their first child together on Instagram
Josie and Kelton have been married since October 2018, when they had an outdoor ceremony at Cove Lake State Park in the shadow of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, and the wedding was later broadcast on Bringing Up Bates.
In February 2019, the couple broke the news that they were expecting their first child together on Instagram with a photo of Kelton holding Josie as she held aloft large balloons announcing the due date.
Josie’s parents Gil and Kelly Jo, whose children range in age from 30 to seven, had a one-season TLC show called United Bates Of America, before they began filming Bringing Up Bates for Up TV.
The series followed Josie’s parents and their 19 children, none of whom were born in multiples.
According to People, Josie will be featured telling Kelton about her second pregnancy on the September 24 episode of Bringing Up Bates.
Up TV offered to excise the footage from the episode, but the couple made the decision to leave it in as a tribute to their unborn child.
In their memories: The September 24 episode of Bringing Up Bates will show Josie telling Kelton about the pregnancy. They opted to keep the footage as a tribute to the unborn child