INDIANAPOLIS -- A baby that was born prematurely at a Mexican hospital and held “hostage” while his parents were forced to pay excessive medical bills has hit some "setbacks" in his recovery but is now receiving treatment at Riley Children’s Hospital.
Michaela Smith and Larry Ralph were vacationing in Cancun last week when baby Beckham was born at just 28 weeks by an emergency C-section.
The couple said they had thought everything was okay until the hospital started demanding money from them or they would be thrown out of the building.
The family said they paid more than $30,000 for Beckham’s care in order to be able to bring him home.
The family sent an update on baby Beckham Wednesday, saying he has had “a few setbacks” since arriving at Riley and that he has “a long road to recovery.”
“(Beckham) is receiving amazing medical care and attention at Riley’s Children’s Hospital,” his parents said.
The family also says they are closing down the fundraising for the infant’s recovery. The GoFundMe page raised over $50,000 and the family says they will be donating any money that is left over after Beckham’s medical expenses to Riley Children’s Hospital.
“Words cannot adequately express the amount of gratitude we have for the love and support we have been shown this past week. The generosity that has been shown to Beckham in regards to his Go Fund Me page is beyond anything we could have ever imagined. At this time we have decided to take the page down; however, we want everyone to know that your generosity has meant the world to us. We will be taking any money that is left over and donating it to Riley Children's Hospital. We would also like to let you know that Beckham has had a few setbacks and has a long road of recovery, but we know we are exactly where we need to be. He is receiving amazing medical care and attention at Riley''s Children's Hospital.
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done, whether it was making a donation, sending encouraging texts or just reaching out and expressing your continued thoughts and prayers.”-Larry, Michaela & Baby Beckham
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