Jason Kennedy is asking for prayers for his 2-year-old son Ryver as he battles health issues.
On Feb. 26, the former E! News host shared in a joint Instagram post with wife Lauren Scruggs Kennedy that their oldest child was recently diagnosed with an infection. He said their son has been in the hospital for two days.
“If you could say a prayer for our boy Ryver it would mean a lot,” he wrote. “Day 2 in pediatric intensive care, the infection is leaving doctors perplexed and we are hopeful for more answers today.”
He added, “Gutting to see him in this kind of pain. This song has been our anthem.” He included a praying-hands emoji at the end of the caption.
The post included a photo of the toddler sitting on his dad’s lap as the two rested on top of a hospital bed. Kennedy also shared the post on his Instagram story along with the song “Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship.
Celebrity friends offered their support in the comments.
Kourtney Kardashian wrote, “Prayed for the baby boy.”
“This Is Us” alum Chrissy Metz said, “Storming the heavens!”
Fellow entertainment journalist and former E! “Nightly Pop” co-host Nina Parker commented, “Praying for your family! So sorry to hear this! Sending love to you and yours!!”
Kennedy and his wife, who have been married since 2014, are the proud parents of Ryver and their 1-year-old daughter, Poppy. They have been open throughout the years about their struggles with fertility and their IVF journey.
In 2021, Kennedy shared that the couple had started IVF treatment and that they were optimistic. “Could have twins. Could have more than twins. Could have one. Might not even have one. It’s a whole thing,” he said in an Instagram video at the time. “But it’s going to be a good process no matter what, we’re committed to believing that.”
Scruggs Kennedy gave birth to their son, Ryver Rhodes Kennedy, the following year in April 2022 and shared adorable snaps of her and Kennedy bonding with the newborn in the hospital.
Speaking about welcoming her first child, Scruggs Kennedy told “Access Hollywood,” “Trying to come up with words to fully process the last 48 hours aren’t possible. Seeing my son for the first time felt like a movie, I kept closing my eyes and finally realized it was true.”
She continued, “We love this boy so much and are so thankful for this time together.”
About a year later, the pair announced that they were expecting their second child. Scruggs Kennedy shared a cute video on Instagram of Ryver being told a sibling was on the way.
“This was a major surprise and the sweetest plot twist,” she wrote in the caption of the joint post. “I cannot wait to watch little ryver be a big brother.”
Their daughter, Poppy Ford Kennedy, arrived in October 2023. The couple posted a picture of their baby girl napping in her crib and another of her in the hospital shortly after she was born.
“I’m sure your feed could use some good news today — we wanted to share that our angel, poppy ford kennedy, arrived on 10•10 and she’s giving all of you a big hug right now,” the mom of two shared in the caption. She signed the post from “Ryver, lo, jase & bennie.”