Toxic mold has turned the Gilkey family’s Walton house into what they describe as a no-go zone, and the timing could hardly be worse. Jana and Sam Gilkey say they were forced to move out while trying to protect the lifeline for their 6-year-old daughter, Riley, whose survival depends on staying close to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Riley was born with DiGeorge syndrome and, as an infant, was diagnosed with a rare, early-onset form of Crohn’s disease. Her parents say she needs frequent, highly specialized care at Cincinnati Children’s. Between temporary housing, constant hospital runs and a spiraling stack of repair estimates, the Gilkeys say they are fighting to keep Riley within reach of the doctors who know her case best.
Inspection Found Toxic Mold, Repairs Estimated Over $1 Million
According to WLWT, an inspection of the Walton home revealed toxic mold spread throughout the house, and the family moved out in December 2025. The Gilkeys told the station that repair estimates now exceed $1,000,000, a figure that would make moving back in nearly impossible without significant help.
Public property records reviewed by Homes.com show Jana and Sam Gilkey closed on the Walton property in mid-2024, meaning the family had been in the home for well under a year before the mold problems forced them out.
Riley's Care Hinges on Staying Near Cincinnati Children's
The Gilkeys say there is no real Plan B when it comes to Riley’s treatment: they have to stay close to Cincinnati Children’s. In their GoFundMe, the family details Riley’s diagnosis of severe Infantile Very Early Onset IBD and her ongoing therapies in Cincinnati. The fundraiser notes that Riley was diagnosed at four months old and has endured multiple hospital stays and specialized treatments since.
Cincinnati Children’s serves as a major pediatric referral center for complex conditions across southern Ohio and northern Kentucky, which helps explain why proximity is so critical for families like the Gilkeys. See Cincinnati Children’s for more context on its role and services.
Neighbors and Teachers Pitch In
The Gilkeys say they are not facing the crisis alone. Friends and neighbors have begun organizing support to help them recover. As reported by WLWT, Dee Dee Hilsher and her husband set up a community fundraiser to help the family shoulder repair and relocation costs. Calvary Christian School’s staff directory lists Hilsher as a longtime teacher in Covington, and the Gilkeys say that network of local support has become crucial as they try to keep Riley’s care on track.
The family says they will likely need both sustained financial help and housing that keeps them within a reasonable drive of Cincinnati Children’s, so Riley’s packed schedule of appointments and therapies is not disrupted.
What the Family Says They Need and How To Help
The Gilkeys’ main fundraiser, organized by Jana and Sam, is collecting donations to cover medical travel, therapies and short-term housing while they sort out the future of their home and Riley’s care plan. Those who want to help can donate through the family’s GoFundMe.
Jana also runs Porchside Pumpkins, a local seasonal decorating business that the family says they are leaning on, along with their broader community, as they weigh long-term options for staying close to Cincinnati and keeping Riley connected to the specialists she needs.
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