Hudson Halvorson, born 13 weeks premature, is home after 112 days in the NICU, joining his father Caleb, a firefighter recovering from severe burns.
FORT WORTH, Texas — After more than three months apart, the Halvorson family is finally under one roof.
On Monday, baby Hudson Halvorson, born 13 weeks premature and weighing just 1 pound, 9 ounces, was discharged from the NICU at Texas Health Resources (THR) Alliance after 112 days.
Waiting at the door was his father, Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halvorson, just home himself after 34 days at Parkland Hospital’s burn unit in Dallas.
It’s a reunion that seemed impossible only weeks ago.
Hudson, whose original due date was Sept. 14, became both the smallest baby and the longest NICU stay on record at THR Alliance. Meanwhile, Caleb, 26, was fighting for his life after being severely injured in a Mayday incident on Sept. 3, when a garage collapsed on him while he battled a house fire.
He suffered second- and third-degree burns across his back, legs, hands and face, as well as knee injuries when the roof debris pinned him down.
“He thought he was going to die,” his wife, Haley Halvorson, told WFAA in late September. “He never lost consciousness. He was awake for all of it. He can recall the fire. He can recall what it felt like to be on fire.”
While Caleb endured multiple surgeries and months of painful recovery, his newborn son was fighting his own uphill battle in the NICU. The two hadn’t seen each other since before the fire — each in a different hospital, each struggling to survive.
But Caleb had one reason to keep fighting: to see his son again.
“He told me, ‘please don’t let me die. I need to get to my son,’” Haley said.
Now, both father and son have beaten the odds.
Baby Hudson, now up to 7 pounds and breathing on his own, is finally home. Caleb continues his recovery with braces, clamps and skin grafts as the family adjusts their home to fit his new mobility needs.
Despite his injuries, Caleb’s determination hasn’t wavered. He’s told his family he hopes to return to firefighting one day.
“Two different battles. One incredible reunion. Two miracles. One family. And endless gratitude,” the Fort Worth Police Department said in a Facebook post.
As the Halvorsons take on the next chapter of recovery together, their community continues to surround them with prayers, support and love.
“While the road ahead is still long… they finally get to do it together,” Fort Worth FD said.