Teen who possibly contracted brain-eating amoeba while in SWFL to be treated in Chicago

Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
brain-eating amoeba
Caleb Ziegelbauer. (Credit: Ziegelbauer family)

A teen is continuing his treatment in Chicago after ending up in the hospital while visiting Port Charlotte. He has been fighting what doctors believe is a brain-eating amoeba for months.

The Charlotte County health department says they have not officially diagnosed him but say that is their best-qualified guess.

Caleb Ziegelbauer is unconscious and has been for a while now. His family doesn’t even truly know what happened to him.

They said, “Every finger twitch we see from him gives us hope,” because after swimming at a beach near Port Charlotte, their lives have changed forever.

“Although thank you will never be enough, how can you thank thousands of people and make it sound sincere?” said Jesse Ziegelbauer, Caleb’s mom.

What were you doing When you were 13 years old? Were you playing sports? Spending time with your family?

“He is made of pure grit and determination. And it is exactly that which we are banking on to wake him up,” said Jesse Ziegelbauer.

Caleb is 13-year-old and fighting for his life. His family doesn’t even know why.

“On July 1, we went to the beach, and my kids played in the water,” said Jesse Ziegelbauer

All they know is that after swimming in the water off of Port Charlotte Beach, Everything changed.

“And by July 7 at night, Caleb was telling me he had a headache,” Jesse Ziegelbauer said.

Caleb’s parents, Jesse and Eric, took their son to Golisano Children’s Hospital. Doctors there believe he’s suffering from a brain-eating amoeba.

“By the eighth and the ninth, he had a fever. And by the night, when he was hallucinating, we jumped in the car and took him right to the emergency room,” said Jesse Ziegelbauer.

Ever since, the boy has suffered in silence, fighting an invisible enemy, but mom says that’s just who her boy is.

“Caleb is brave. Caleb is strong. Caleb is a fighter. Caleb is young Caleb is healthy. Caleb has a brain capable of healing,” said Jesse Ziegelbauer.

Giving up is just not an option.

“I can’t wait for him to share his story with you. It is his and only his to share.” Jesse Ziegelbauer said.

There is nothing like a mother’s love. You might be wondering, why Chicago? The answer is that they have a rehab facility capable of treating consciousness disorders.

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