KRON4 Anchor James Fletcher Absent After Son's Paralysis

KRON4 Morning News anchor James Fletcher announced Thursday that he had been absent from the air for several weeks because his son Collin, 23, was hospitalized with a sudden neurological condition that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Fletcher stated that doctors are still working to identify the cause of the paralysis.

He said the family does not know how the condition developed and is concerned that delays in diagnosis could limit recovery options.

Fletcher wrote that Collin has previously dealt with Crohn's disease, seizures, and other medical issues. He said years of treatment have left the family with substantial medical debt covered through payment plans, credit cards, and loans. The family started a GoFundMe campaign to pay existing medical bills, new treatment costs, and specialized equipment.

As of Friday morning, the campaign had raised nearly $10,000 toward a $55,000 goal.

KRON4 said the station supports Fletcher and his family and wishes Collin a full recovery. Fletcher has been employed at the station since 2002.