Slain trooper's son sent to Durham for heart surgery

Michaela Blanton, the wife of slain trooper David Shawn Blanton and mother of the couple's son, Tye, asked Mission Hospitals in Asheville to update the public about about her son's condition.

"Tye has a number of serious medical conditions, in addition to his heart problems. He remains in critical yet stable condition at Duke after heart surgery on Wednesday," the statement read.

"Despite the success of this surgery, Tye is looking towards an additional surgery in the near future to repair a different area of the heart."

Despite his serious medical problems, Tye was able to experience many firsts in his life before being taken to Duke.

"He was able to be outside and see daylight, catch the first glimpse of his baby cousin, Jaxon, who was born only 33 hours before him, and even have a helicopter ride that he thoroughly enjoyed!" the statement read.

Tye was born prematurely, two weeks before his father's death. Trooper Blanton, 24, was shot to death in June during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Canton.

In July, a Haywood County Superior Court judge ruled that prosecutors could seek the death penalty against Edwardo Wong III, 37, of Ormond Beach, Fla., who is charged in Blanton’s death.

The State Employees Credit Union set up a fund for the Blanton family. Donations can be made at any North Carolina SECU branch.