Baby Arlo

Late On Saturday 13th October, whilst away in Dominican Republic, Chloe noticed something unusual down below and spoke with a midwife who advised her to go straight to hospital. Upon arrival at IMG medical centre, chloe and Michael paid a deposit to see the drs and advised that any further treatment would need to be covered by their insurance, and that if it couldn’t be then they would be unable to pay and continue.

The hospital were aware that their insurance unfortunately could not cover however did not give Chloe and Michael the opportunity to leave and said they needed to operate immediately.

They originally quoted just under $11,000.

 

They gave Chloe an emergency c-section and Arlo was born at 10:49am Sunday 14th October. They took Arlo straight to the neonatal ward. 

Neither Chloe or Michael were allowed to see Arlo at all. 

The Drs called them in at around 4am on October 15th to say Arlo was distressed and that they had discovered he had PPHN and respiratory problems. Arlo unfortunately passed later on that morning. 

 

Chloe and Michael wanted to get Arlo home to the UK but the hospital threatened to dispose of his body unless they could make a payment of $3650 the same day as his death, to get him to a funeral directors. Luckily Chloe’s dad was able to help with this. 

 

Their hearts are broken and they just want to get home, however the hospital refused to let them leave until they paid the medical fee which had now increased to over $20,000.

They physically do not have that kind of money nor can they access that easily. 

Chloe and Michael asked if they would allow them to pay in instalments and the hospital refused, keeping them in a room surrounded by security and police. Chloe’s four year old daughter was with them the whole time, I can’t imagine how scared she must have felt.

 

The hospital threatened to contact Interpol and said that if they did not hand over their passports they would ensure they could not leave the country.

 

Chloe asked for proof of where she had signed to say She would be held accountable for these fees and they provided her with a document which She had not signed! When She asked for a copy they refused. 

 

She then reminded them that they advised before any treatment that they could not pay and the hospital responded with ‘we saved your life, you should be grateful’. They then went on to dismiss the life and death of baby Arlo and told them to ‘try again.’

 

Chloe reluctantly handed over her passport just so they could get back to the hotel for some rest and now have 5 days to pay the $20,991.12 otherwise they will not return her passport. The British embassy representative advised to pay the bills and has given no other solution and that due to the law confliction the British embassy cannot get involved.

 

They are in an impossible position. Their hearts are breaking and they cannot grieve for their baby boy. If anyone can help in any way at all they will be eternally grateful.

They are so sorry to ask this of our friends and family.