Ayden James Downs made history at Kalispell Regional Medical Center when he was born Monday morning.

At 1 pound, 3 ounces, he was the tiniest baby on record at the hospital, a hospital official confirmed.

His parents’ joy was short-lived, though. Their newborn son died Thursday afternoon from complications caused by the premature birth.

Ayden was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at 24 weeks. His parents are Marcy Franklin and James Downs of Creston.

The baby was improving earlier in the day on Thursday and plans were underway to fly the infant to Seattle Children’s Hospital for further medical treatment, his mother said Thursday morning. 

But by late afternoon tiny Ayden took a turn for the worse and didn’t survive the day.

Friends have stepped up in a big way to help raise money for the couple’s mounting medical expenses and are moving forward with several fundraising events. 

A charity fund called Ayden’s Footprints has been set up at First Interstate Bank where donations can be made at any bank branch. Donation jars are being placed at area convenience stores and other retail stores. A car wash is planned Aug. 9 starting at 9 a.m. at Brush Towing behind Wendy’s in Kalispell.

Today, friends are putting up big signs at Calvary Lutheran Church in Evergreen where passers-by can drop off donations.

A Facebook page called Support Marcy, James and Ayden has been established for friends and family members to come together to support Ayden’s parents. A link for donors to gofundme.com is available through the Facebook page.

Several people have posted touching messages and condolences.

“My heart, our hearts, are so heavy,” Jasmine Lutgen wrote. “He touched so many of us; such a strong fighter ... Ayden’s three days of life will be treasured in our hearts forever.”

The birth of their first child had been a traumatic ordeal since Marcy’s pregnancy began.

Marcy, 22, and James, 23, met in 2007 at Bigfork High School and became friends. They worked together at Marina Cay Resort in 2009 and kept in touch. Their relationship became serious in January this year. By Valentine’s Day James proposed to Marcy and they began planning a wedding for next year.

On Feb.16 the couple announced the engagement to their families and on Feb. 20 Marcy discovered she was pregnant.

The complications began almost immediately, though, setting the stage for a pregnancy that would become a revolving door of trips to the emergency room.

By July 10 she was back in the ER with more bleeding. Doctors told her at that point she most likely would deliver the baby early and plans were in the works to send Marcy to Missoula.

Early Monday morning, however, she returned to Kalispell Regional with severe contractions and delivered Ayden by C-section, then was given a blood transfusion because she had lost so much blood.

James said Thursday morning both he and his fiancee were doing their best to stay positive and upbeat, but at the same time they knew their baby was facing some serious medical complications from being so small.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.