RANCHO CORDOVA-

Right beside her husband, Rudy, is a place Jamie Boate has been for the past 20 years.

Just last week, the couple was anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child, a girl they will name Ashley Lynn. Jamie is 35 weeks pregnant.

“This is their miracle baby,”  long-time friend Cyndi Ward said.

With diabetes and chronic high blood pressure, Jamie has tried unsuccessfully in the past to have children.

Today, it’s her husband who is fighting to stay alive.

“Rudy is in critical condition,” Ward said. “Not sure if he’s going to make it. It goes up and down. The last two days he was doing good, and then we go in there, he has a fever.”

Sheriff’s investigators say Rudy’s coworker, Cristobol Chavez, shot him following an argument last Thursday, at their job site in Rancho Cordova.

Chavez is now behind bars, while Rudy remains in a drug-induced coma.

“Four surgeries, he’s lost a kidney, part of his bowels have been removed, 20 IV bags,”  Ward said.

During this trying time, the couple leans on each other, as it’s always been.

“They are their family. That’s all she has,” Ward said.

And until Rudy recovers and is able to work again, Ward hopes the generosity of strangers will help to make Jamie’s financial burden, the least of her worries.

“I’ve had to force her to take help. They’ve never taken welfare, state aid. she’s worked hard her whole life,” Ward said with tears. “So has Rudy. It’s just hard. She’s humble. She doesn’t know what to do. “

AN ACCOUNT TO HELP JAMIE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT WELLS FARGO BANK:
RUDY BOATE DONATION ACCOUNT – #6195423048

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