Mexican hospital holding baby as ‘medical hostage’ until bill is paid

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. -- An Indiana woman's baby born in Mexico is being held hostage by a Cancun hospital, according to the family. Michaela Smith was vacationing in Cancun with her husband when she went into labor 12 weeks early, according to WXIN. The family said doctors cleared Michaela for travel.

The family has been working around the clock to bring the family home.
"A baby born at 28 weeks in the United States has a 96 to 98 percent chance of survival in that first year,” said Larry Smith Sr., Michael's father. “Literally they’re being held hostage down there. We just want to get him somewhere and get him stable. We need to get him in America.”

Smith said the family has already paid $9,000 for the first day of care and then an additional $4,000 for various "fees." However, the hospital is refusing to release the baby to an air ambulance until the bill is paid in full. The total hospital bill is over $30,000 but does not include the air ambulance.