Father forced to choose between wife, newborn son with Down syndrome

ARMENIA — A New Zealand father whose wife abandoned their infant son because he was born with Down syndrome has decided to raise the child as a single dad, according to a fundraising page.

Leo Forrest was born on January 21st in Armenia to an Armenian mother and a father, Sam Forrest, from New Zealand. According to a Go Fund Me page set up by Sam, shortly after Leo’s birth, his mother and her family abandoned him because of societal norms in Armenia.

With no money and in a foreign land, Sam set up a Go Fund Me page to send him and Leo back to New Zealand where they could give Leo the care he needs. The Go Fund Me page went viral -- and as of Friday afternoon had raised more than $325,000.

Sam posted the following note on the page:

For more information on how to donate to Leo, CLICK HERE.