Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter Emmy Russell announces baby’s diagnosis

Emmy Russell, granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn and former American Idol finalist, provided an update on her 6-month-old daughter after she was hospitalized.

Russell and her husband Tyler Ward have revealed that their daughter Taylor Ray, was diagnosed with infantile spasms, which is a type of epilepsy, according to the Child Neurology Foundation.

“We learned yesterday that she has infantile spasms, which, after doing research, it’s 0.02% of conditions. So, it’s very, very rare,” Ward explained in an Instagram video with his wife. He added that when treated early, outcomes can be positive, though it remains “about 50-50 chance, which is crazy.”

The couple said they have been encouraged by initial treatment results. Ward reported that doctors administered steroids to help reduce brain activity, and Taylor Ray has not experienced any spasms since beginning treatment.

“She seems like she’s more herself,” Ward noted before his daughter underwent an MRI to help determine next steps.

Russell expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support in the video’s caption, writing, “thank you so much for the continued prayers. We really do believe it’s helping shift towards healing.”

The health concerns began when Taylor Ray showed signs of what “could be small seizures,” according to an Instagram post Russell shared on Sunday. She explained that the couple initially thought their baby’s fussiness and crying might be related to teething, but they “rushed to the doctor” after noticing “small spasms.”

In a previous update, Russell described the emotional toll of the experience, saying “we’ve been crying all day long” and that going through this medical emergency feels “lonely.”

The couple welcomed Taylor Ray on Jan. 31, iHeart Country reported. Several days after the birth, Ward updated fans on mother and baby in an Instagram video. Russell noted she needed a blood transfusion after losing a liter of blood.

Taylor Ray’s birth comes nearly three years after her legendary great-grandmother Loretta Lynn’s passing. Russell honored her legacy singing one of her biggest hits “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” while she was a contestant on American Idol in 2024.

Earlier this year, she appeared on “The Thrivalist Podcast with Jamie George“ to express her anger toward the judge’s song selection.

“So on ‘American Idol,’ I did my grandma’s song. Well, they actually let the judges pick three songs. And the only one I knew was ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,’” Russell admitted. “I’m already facing so much, trying to act in courage, and I just remember seeing that and I was so mad. I was like, ‘Ugh.’”

This story was written with the assistance of AI.