Georgia Mother Left New child Toddler In Trash Bag on Porch, Did not Reveal Being pregnant: Sheriff

Her husband, Matthew Okula — a Los Angeles Hearth Division firefighter — introduced on Instagram on Tuesday that his spouse died moments after they welcomed their first little one, a child boy they named Crew.

“It’s with the heaviest of coronary heart that I share the devastating information of the surprising passing of my stunning spouse, Hailey Marie Okula, as a result of issues from childbirth,” Matthew started. “Phrases can’t convey the depth of the loss I really feel. Hailey was greater than I might have ever dreamed of in a spouse and associate. She was beautiful, sensible, hardworking, passionate, reliable, and above all else, unbelievably loyal. For practically 13 years, she stood by my aspect within the hardest of occasions, loving me endlessly, even after I felt undeserving of that love. She was my every little thing.”

“Hailey’s power was unparalleled. Phrases cannot describe how badly we needed to be mother and father. After years of infertility struggles and an extended, difficult IVF course of, we have been overjoyed to expect Crew,” he continued. “Hailey confronted each hurdle with a lot braveness and love — despite the fact that her physique went by way of a lot, she by no means wavered. I’ll always remember the second I broke down, apologizing for the toll the method would tackle her. She held my face, seemed into my eyes, and mentioned, ‘We’re a crew, and we’ll get by way of this collectively.’ That was Hailey. A fighter. A teammate. A lady who would do something for the folks she cherished.”

“Although her time with us was tragically lower brief, Hailey’s love for Crew was limitless, lengthy earlier than he entered this world. She would have been essentially the most wonderful mother. Her spirit, braveness, and love will reside on in our son, and thru everybody whose lives she touched,” Matthew added. “Hailey poured her soul into her profession as a nurse and her ardour for educating others by way of her enterprise, RN New Grads. She was so happy with it and was devoted to creating one thing significant, not only for herself, however for the nursing neighborhood she cherished a lot. She dreamed of serving to new nurses thrive whereas additionally being current for our candy Crew, constructing a life and legacy she was so happy with.”

As Matthew talked about, Hailey created RN New Grads, which helps nurses — who’ve just lately graduated — kickstart their careers, earlier than this system turned “right into a complete platform for all issues nursing,” in response to her web site. “We now supply instructional assets, interview assist, and even promote cute nursing attire and equipment to showcase your satisfaction as a nurse,” the web site reads.

Along with sharing content material associated to this system, Hailey — who has over 425,000 followers on Instagram and over 200,000 on TikTok underneath the username “@rnnewgrads” — documented her years-long struggles with fertility, IVF course of, and her being pregnant journey after she introduced she was anticipating in September 2024.

Matthew’s publish on Tuesday featured an emotional video montage of pictures and clips from their years collectively, together with their journey to get pregnant, footage from the hospital, and a photograph of child Crew.

He continued his caption within the feedback part of the publish, sharing data on the way forward for his late spouse’s enterprise.

“Concerning Hailey’s enterprise, RN New Grads, for now, we ask that no bodily merchandise be bought as I do not know all of the logistical aspect of that a part of the enterprise but,” Matthew wrote. “Digital merchandise can proceed to be bought as regular. If there are any disputes or questions, I ask on your endurance whereas I grieve and get better — I promise I’ll work to resolve every little thing in time. Hailey refused to rent anybody to run her enterprise, partly as a result of we’re so low cost (lol), however extra so as a result of she was past keen about her content material. She was actually explicit, ensuring she really preferred what was being posted and each useful resource she created. There’s a lot unposted materials and so many merchandise she was so excited to share. I’m going to do every little thing I can to determine the best way to proceed this enterprise in her honor.”

“Hailey at all times cherished the neighborhood she constructed, and it fulfilled such an enormous dream of hers to be a profitable, self-made entrepreneur,” he continued. “Please proceed to observe and share her content material to assist preserve her ardour for educating nurses and healthcare staff alive. You all made such an unimaginable impression on her life, and for that, I’ll at all times be grateful.”

Matthew praised his spouse’s work, saying that her “legacy goes past the work she did or the aspirations she carried.”

“Her kindness and dedication to serving to others left a mark on everybody she met. Whereas we’re holding sure particulars personal for now, we’re grateful for individuals who have reached out in love and assist throughout this unimaginable time,” he wrote. “I by no means imagined myself asking for something, and Hailey would not have both, however for the sake of Crew, when you’ve got a technique to contribute something in any respect to my Zelle account, it will imply time away from work for me whereas Crew and I work to rebuild the damaged life Hailey and I had put collectively.”

“Please proceed to carry our household, and particularly little Crew, in your prayers as we study to hold on with out her. Her love and light-weight will without end stay in all of our hearts,” he concluded. “Relaxation in peace, my love. You have been every little thing and extra. At all times and without end. 💔.”

In the meantime, the LAFD shared a touching tribute on its official Instagram account, above.

“On March 29, 2025, in the course of the supply of their little one, Mrs. Hailey Okula, spouse of LAFD Engineer Matthew Okula, tragically handed away,” the LAFD captioend a photograph of Hailey and Matthew. “The Los Angeles Metropolis Hearth Division grieves the loss Mrs Okula and is grateful for the work of numerous hearth service members, together with teams like @housewivesoflafd working to assist Engineer Okula and his new child, Crew, throughout this unimaginably troublesome time.”

Matthew additionally opened up in regards to the tragedy whereas talking with FOX 11.

In line with the outlet, simply “two minutes” after Crew was born, she mentioned, “I do not really feel good,” and went into cardiac arrest.

Whereas holding his toddler son and canine, Matthew — who wore a RN New Grads t-shirt and a hat that mentioned “Dad” — advised FOX 11, “She needed to be mother so extremely unhealthy.”

Matthew — who was visibly emotional — recalled the horror he skilled within the hospital within the minutes following Crew’s beginning. He mentioned the medical doctors advised him his spouse suffered a “very, very uncommon complication” known as amniotic fluid embolism. In line with the Cleveland Clinic, “amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is “a uncommon and life-threatening complication that happens when a pregnant lady will get amniotic fluid into their bloodstream simply earlier than, throughout or instantly after childbirth.”

“She gave her life in essentially the most noble approach. She was in a position to see him for a cut up second, and I am at all times going to keep in mind that,” Matthew mentioned, choked up.

In line with FOX 11, Hailey was 33. The clip was shared on the LAFD Instagram.

A GoFundMe arrange for Matthew and the household has practically reached its purpose of $250,000 as of this posting, receiving over $238,000 in donations.