FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 A Fresno police officer and his family are facing a life-changing medical crisis as their newborn son prepares for open-heart surgery.<\/p>\n
Baby Tucker Biedermann is only 3-months old and is currently at Stanford Medical Center, where he is expected to undergo surgery in May, followed by weeks of recovery.<\/p>\n
His mother, Gabriella Biedermann, said she first sensed something was wrong when Tucker wasn\u2019t eating properly.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy baby wasn\u2019t eating they weren\u2019t doing enough,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
After multiple tests at Valley Children\u2019s Hospital, doctors initially believed Tucker had a small hole in his heart. <\/p>\n
Still concerned, Gabriella sought a second opinion.<\/p>\n
That decision led them to Stanford, where doctors diagnosed Tucker with Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex congenital heart defect involving multiple abnormalities, including holes in the heart. <\/p>\n
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the condition occurs when a baby\u2019s heart does not form properly during pregnancy.<\/p>\n
The diagnosis has been especially emotional for the family, which is well known in the Fresno community. <\/p>\n
Gabriella shared that she is related to the late Coach Garza, a beloved Central High School football coach who died from Hodgkin lymphoma.<\/p>\n
Tucker\u2019s father, Kobe Biedermann, a Fresno police officer, has remained by his son\u2019s side throughout the ordeal. <\/p>\n
He says the department has stepped up in support of their family.<\/p>\n
\u201cFresno PD has been very supportive they\u2019re like, \u2018No worries, we\u2019ll figure it out. Just take care of your family.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Tucker\u2019s surgery is expected to be followed by at least five weeks of recovery in Stanford, though doctors say the long-term outlook remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs something going to go wrong? Does he have to get multiple surgeries? There\u2019s no telling what the outcome is going to be yet,\u201d Gabriella said.<\/p>\n
To help with mounting medical and travel expenses, the family, along with support from local law enforcement groups, has organized a fundraiser with a goal of $20,000.<\/p>\n
The funds will help cover travel costs, medical bills, and the extended hospital stay following Tucker\u2019s surgery.<\/p>\n
So far $11,895 has been raised. <\/p>\n