LeFlore County Infant with Heart Defect Dies

A LeFlore County baby born with a heart defect died from complications Monday night at an Ohio children’s hospital.

A family member posted this on the “I Love Liam Lyon” Facebook page: “Liam has his wings and Heaven has a new angel, that bright shining star up above, Liam has changed us forever. Fly high baby boy – so many friends there waiting – until we see you again, Grandma Nanci said it best – we’re shattered. Your support has been overwhelming and we read many of your postings to him so he knew how much he was loved. We still BeLiEvE in Miracles.”

Liam was born in February 2011 with a serious congenital heart defect. The baby had several surgeries to keep his heart beating as long as possible. He was treated in hospitals in Fort Smith, Little Rock, Tulsa, Okla., Boston, Mass., and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Liam and his family are from Cameron, Okla.

Liam received a heart transplant in 2011. The bad news is he had so many surgeries scar tissue formed on a major vein and blood could not get through like it should.

Liam’s family never gave up. In February 2012, 5NEWS talked with mom Whitney, dad Brody, and sister Cheyenne via Skype after doctors in Boston operated on Liam again.

Since his birth an enormous outpouring of support for the baby was shown across the area. His Facebook page has more than 81,000 “likes.” A second page, “Lights for Liam,” which encouraged supporters to hold candlelight vigils and leave their porch lights on for the child, has more than 15,000 “likes.”

Liam died in his parents’ arms Monday night at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Family say Liam developed an infection that got into his bloodstream.

The family set up an account for those wanting to make a donation.

Donations can be made by direct donation to any Simmons First National Bank with the following information:
Account Name: William Elijah Lyon
For wire transfer, the routing number is: 082900432

Alternatively donations can be mailed to:
Liam Lyon
c/o Grandpa Paul Tankersley
23443 Shoup Road
Cameron, OK 74932