Erin Bates’ Siblings Speak Out on Her Septic Battle After Baby No. 7

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Erin Bates Paine‘s family is coming together amid her health crisis.

While the star of “Bringing Up Bates” is still in the hospital due to issues related to the birth of her and husband Chad Paine’s seventh child, Henry, several of her 18 siblings are providing support during this challenging time.

Michaela Bates Keilen, Erin’s elder sister, posted a picture of Henry in her arms and expressed heartfelt thanks for the abundant love, care, and prayers they have received.

She expressed her heartfelt gratitude on Instagram on September 4 to everyone who has been sending prayers for her sister Erin and her family over the past few days. Although she hasn’t had a chance to respond to every message, please understand that each comment, text, and message has reached our hearts deeply, and we are incredibly thankful.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I must share that Henry, Erin’s little one, is nothing short of a heavenly-sent cherub. His enchanting presence has left us utterly smitten.

In the comments area, Whitney Bates (married to Zachary Bates, who is Erin’s elder brother) expressed that they are sending Erin their ongoing love and are fervently praying for her.

Similarly, during this difficult period, Erin’s younger sister, Katie Bates Clark, has been keeping her in her thoughts. On a September 4th post on Erin’s Instagram page, it was noted that she and her husband, Travis Clark, are sending their prayers to her.

In the same post, Erin’s younger brother, Lawson Bates, along with his wife Tiffany Espensen, expressed that they are persistently praying daily for a remarkable recovery or miracle.

Tiffany expressed her sympathies, thoughts, and affection by saying, ‘I’m sending my love to the Paine Family.’ She also conveyed how deeply she cares for them with the words, ‘I love you guys a lot!’

Erin was moved to the Intensive Care Unit not long after delivering her son Henry on August 25th. As reported by Chad, who co-parents Carson (10), Brooklyn (8), Everly (7), Holland (5), Finley (3), and William (22 months) with Erin, the labor for this mother of seven was reportedly prolonged and more strenuous than in her previous deliveries.

In his September 1 Instagram post, it was stated that Erin had a serious urinary tract infection (UTI) and kidney infection, which subsequently led to septic shock.

Since then, Erin has also experienced what Chad described as a “lengthy and severe seizure.”

On September 4th, he revealed that Erin was extremely weak, often barely conscious, a state she had been in for hours. Sharing photos of her in the hospital bed, he confided that as her husband, this was one of the most challenging experiences he’s ever encountered – witnessing her struggle, yet feeling utterly powerless to alleviate her distress.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share a heartfelt sentiment from my own journey: “For over a decade, my partner has been the cornerstone of my life. The depth of my love for her transcends any words I could utter. I can hardly fathom a world without my cherished companion by my side. These past days have been demanding and exhausting, but I’m not alone in feeling this emotional strain – I know countless hearts share the same longing to witness her resilience.

For a complete guide to Erin’s large family, keep reading.

William Gilvin “Gil” Bates, the wrestling champion of South Carolina state, encountered lab assistant Kelly Bates (maiden name Callaham) at Anderson University, a Christian liberal arts school in South Carolina, where she was assigned to tutor him in Chemistry. Showing a wealth of intellect, he proposed to her in October 1987 while they were completing their studies at Tennessee’s Carson-Newman University. Marrying only two months later, the couple initially didn’t anticipate having a big family, but neither endorsed contraception. “We both arrived at the decision that we would simply trust God regarding the number of children we had,” Gil shared with Dateline in 2011, acknowledging that they believed they would be limited to two or three offspring.

The oldest son among them is named Zachary Bates, born a year after their wedding; in 2012, their 19th child and second son, Jeb Bates, was welcomed. When it comes to listing off the names of their extensive family, Kelly humorously noted that Gil, who manages Bates Tree Service, has a knack for this task as his memory outperforms hers.

Just like his siblings, Zachary, born on December 30, 1988, was educated at home and a diligent student of Bill Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles. His relationship with Sarah Reith was showcased on “19 Kids and Counting”, but it was Whitney Perkins who won his heart while working together at Sonic Drive-in. They started courting in 2013, and he proposed only two months later. John-David Duggar served as one of the groomsmen. The couple then had sons Bradley (born October 2014), Jayden (June 2021), Kaci (June 2016), Khloé (November 2019), and most recently Lily Jo (August 2023).

Beyond his work at the family tree company, Zachary has also held positions as a police officer, a county commissioner, and a real estate agent.

In my capacity as a lifestyle expert, let me share a fascinating journey with you. Born on the 23rd of January, 1990, 13 months after my older brother, I am Michaela Bates Keilen. Growing up, I found solace and expression in the art of sewing, crafting most of our family’s dresses and managing the laundry duties. My beloved partner, Brandon Keilen, had his studies at Bible college to complete before he could officially propose. So, we coursed through two beautiful years together before he asked for my hand in April 2015, marking the beginning of our shared journey.

Following their wedding in August, the couple established their life in Chicago, facing challenges as they tried to start a family. Michaela openly shared her fertility issues through blog entries and videos on YouTube. After enduring a miscarriage in 2021, they took on the role of foster parents for two young boys.

Reflecting on my upbringing by my parents, I can’t recall anything that was detrimental, Erin Bates Pain (who joined the family on May 2, 1991) shared with People. Instead, when I look back, everything appears very positive, and we made unforgettable memories together.

Instead of having a television, we made use of playtime with dad in its place. This meant spending quality time together, such as playing family games or creating memorable moments. Consequently, I don’t feel like we missed out on anything and, interestingly enough, I believe we became even smarter due to this experience.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share the exciting journey of my beloved couple – the remarkable pair who tied the knot with none other than the charismatic Charles “Chad” Stephen Paine III in 2013. This union ignited an ardent desire for a large family within their hearts. However, fate took a challenging turn due to Erin’s blood clotting disorder, leading to several heartbreaking miscarriages.

But alas, fortune smiled upon them when they welcomed their first child, the adorable Carson, in May 2015. Brooklyn joined the family in August 2016, followed by Everly in May 2018, and Holland in November 2019. The joy continued to pour in as Finley arrived in January 2022.

In an incredible twist of events, despite initially believing they had reached their limit, this family’s dreams expanded further with the birth of William in October 2023 and Henry in August 2025. A testament to their indomitable spirit, Erin faced complications following Henry’s delivery, prompting Chad to seek support on Instagram, requesting prayers for Erin’s swift recovery from her health challenges.

In essence, the story of this family is a rollercoaster ride of love, determination, and miracles. Their journey serves as an inspiration, reminding us all that hope prevails amidst adversity.

A 13-year-old boy named Lawson Bates (born July 27, 1992), who started his own lawn-cutting business called Lawson’s Lawncare, was connected to Jana Duggar due to him commenting on some of her Instagram posts. However, he later announced his engagement to Tiffany Espensen, after proposing during a trip to Italy in October 2021. “Discovering Tiffany – her kindness, interests, and aspirations – has been the most delightful experience of my life,” Lawson shared with People magazine at the time, “and we have been creating many wonderful memories together over the past year.

The couple got married on a yacht near San Diego’s coast in May 2022. Unfortunately, they had a miscarriage before giving birth to their son William in July 2024. Just under a year later, they announced that they were expecting another child.

As Nathan Bates, I became part of our beloved family on August 29, 1993. My romantic journey with Ashley Salyer was showcased in the series ‘Bringing Up Bates’, but later, in May 2021, I found myself getting engaged to Esther Keyes. We tied the knot in October that year, exchanging our first kiss at the altar, much like many of my siblings. A year after our wedding, we were blessed with a daughter named Kenna. Our son Graham joined our family in October 2024. I’ve always had a dream to serve as a preacher, and I’ve worked towards that by participating in several mission trips and serving as a first responder.

Alyssa Bates, who was born on November 9, 1994, served as the family’s secretary, shopper for clothes, and prepared many of their meals. While working on Florida Congressman Daniel Webster’s campaign for the U.S House of Representatives, she met his son John Webster. They got engaged in January 2014 and tied the knot that May. The couple residing in Florida welcomed daughter Alli in April 2015, followed by Lexi in January 2017, Zoey in March 2018, Maci in February 2021, and son Rhett in March 2023.

Born on December 20, 1995, a year later than her elder sister, Tori Bates Smith started dating Bobby Smith in the year 2016. Their relationship was showcased on their family’s reality series. After getting engaged, they tied the knot in December 2017. The alumna of Crown College of the Bible with a specialization in elementary education and Bobby became parents to son Robert IV in November 2018, followed by son Kolter in May 2020, daughter Charlotte in June 2021, daughter Cambree in August 2022, and son Weston in May 2024.

On February 1, 1997, a man named Trace Bates, whose name signifies harvester of white fields, made his appearance. After a public courting, he was connected with Lydia Romeike through his sister Josie Bates Balka, who later became his wife Chaney Kahle. They announced their engagement in March 2022 on YouTube, with Trace expressing, “Lydia is my best friend and the most positive influence in my life.” The couple tied the knot in October 2022 amidst 350 guests, including Jason Duggar who served as an usher. A son named Ryker was born to them in October 2023. In June 2025, they were blessed with a rainbow baby, their daughter Kaia.

Carlin Stewart, born on April 11, 1998, completed high school alongside her brother Trace after taking dual enrollment at a local college. Her sister Erin introduced her to Evan Stewart, and they got engaged in September 2018. They got married the following May, with Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth serving as a bridesmaid. Their first child, Layla, was born in January 2020 and featured on ‘Bringing Up Bates’. Their son Zade arrived in March 2022, and they announced the arrival of their third child in February 2025.

Gil and Kelly’s tenth child was born on August 4, 1999. She made friends with her future husband, Kelton Balka, after they met at a piano recital in 2014. However, they didn’t start dating until 2017. In June 2018, their engagement was captured on camera, and they got married in October of the same year, with cameras present once more. Their first daughter, Willow, arrived in July 2019, followed by Hazel in June 2021. Miles joined the family in February 2024, and they announced in April 2025 that they were expecting another child.

On October 5th, 2000, Katie Bates Clark was given the name which translates to ‘pure grace’. In a 2019 Facebook Live broadcast, she disclosed her romantic relationship with Travis Clark and shared their ocean-side engagement in April 2021. They tied the knot in December of the same year and started expanding their family. Their daughter Hailey was born in February 2023, followed by son Harvey in September 2024. Katie graduated from The Crown College with a cosmetology license and has been working as a stylist for her sister Josie’s company, Effortless Beauty, and serving as a model for Bates Sisters Boutique.

Among the group often referred to as the “three musketeers,” which included Warden Bates, Isaiah Bates, and Jackson Bates, it was Jackson who came into the world on February 17, 2002. He crossed paths with his future spouse, Emerson Wells, at a rodeo in Florida, announcing their engagement in March 2023. They exchanged vows in October of the same year, with Jason Duggar serving as a groomsman. Their first child, David, arrived in July 2025.

Known as “Tigger” for his lively spirit, Warden, born on May 19, 2003, enjoys sports and singing. Balancing his time, he has worked with both his father’s excavation company and brother-in-law Chad’s Paine Construction.

On October 16, 2004, the third musketeer made an appearance. He had been working for both his father and his brother-in-law Chad prior, but in 2022, he established his own lawn care business following his graduation from Crown College in 2023, where he earned a one-year Bible Certificate specializing in Foundation of Christian Life.

After her birth on February 17, 2006, Addalee Bates faced breathing difficulties due to being premature and uses hearing aids. Born prematurely, she spent time in the NICU. Her parents added additional letters to her name to commemorate her second chance at life. In 2025, she successfully completed a one-year bible program.

Under the moniker “Strong Light,” Ellie Bates was welcomed aboard on April 28, 2007. Frequently, she strikes a pose during photo sessions at Bates Sisters Boutique.

Callie-Anna Bates, the youngest daughter of Gil and Kelly, entered the world on August 2, 2009. According to her mother’s Instagram post from August 2020, she is the “most animated” member of their family, with an irresistible charm that draws people to her like a magnet!

Ever since Jud Bates arrived on September 15, 2010, he’s grown rapidly, as Kelly mentioned in her December 2020 Instagram post. Despite encountering a few hurdles along the way – fracturing his right collarbone not once, but twice; first while playing football and another time during an e-bike ride.

With the expansion of the family, Jeb Bates made his arrival on February 1, 2012. He initially stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). As Gil shared with People magazine at that time, despite being their 19th child, the excitement and nerves were as palpable as they had been with their very first baby. “You’d think by now we wouldn’t get excited or nervous,” he said, “but I was just as eager and anxious with this new arrival as we were with our first.”

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2025-09-06 00:49