Baby José was born healthy and perfect on August 19 — but just hours later, his family’s joy turned into a nightmare they never imagined.

His mother had been admitted to Hospital Jayme Santos Neves the previous day to be induced because her pregnancy was considered high-risk due to difficult-to-control high blood pressure.

At 6am, José arrived safely after a normal birth. For his parents, it was supposed to be the happiest moment of their lives.

But later that day, José was taken to a heated crib because his temperature was slightly below the recommended level. His grandmother stayed beside him while his exhausted mother went upstairs to rest.

Then she woke to the sound of her baby crying — and the smell of something burning.

When she reached the room, several people had already gathered. José was taken to the NICU, where his grandmother explained what had happened.

According to the family, a nurse had placed heated cotton inside José’s sock, believing it would help soothe him. José began crying intensely, but the family says the situation was not immediately recognized.

His grandmother eventually noticed that his clothing had changed color and quickly removed it. When the sock came off, she realized that José had suffered a burn to his foot.

The family believes her quick reaction prevented the situation from becoming even more serious.

“Thank God my mother was there,” José’s mother said. “I don’t even want to imagine what could have happened if she hadn’t noticed in time.”

José was transferred to a children’s hospital, where he remains in the NICU. Doctors planned surgery to assess the depth of the injury and determine the treatment he would need.

For his mother, the emotional strain has been overwhelming. She is still recovering from childbirth, after receiving 20 stitches, while spending sleepless nights separated from her newborn son.

She also says the family had hoped to be discharged, but instead found themselves facing an unexpected medical journey.

“He was born healthy,” she shared. “Just a few hours later, everything changed. We were supposed to be taking our baby home, and now we are praying for his recovery.”

Through the fear and exhaustion, José’s family continues to stay by his side, hoping each day brings better news.

“We just want our little boy to get better,” his family said. “He has already been through so much in such a short time. All we want is to hold him safely in our arms and bring him home.”

For now, José remains under close medical care, while his loved ones hold onto hope for the tiny newborn who entered the world healthy — and is now bravely facing a completely unexpected battle.