Hospital Wants to Send Comatose Girl Back to Mexico

Updated: Thursday, 05 Apr 2012, 9:27 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 05 Apr 2012, 9:27 PM MST

PHOENIX - A 15-year-old valley girl is lying in a hospital bed tonight facing a long recovery.

She was severely injured after she was hit by a car. The family has no insurance, and the hospital can’t continue long term care.

To make things more complicated -- the family is here illegally.

This happens far more than anyone could imagine.

Three weeks ago, Victoria Rendon was a thriving 15-year-old, playing on the basketball team at Caesar Chavez High School.

Now she's lying in a hospital bed at St. Joseph's, unable to speak, unable to walk. Her future is completely in doubt.

"She had a brain injury that's really critical and she can't move her left side," says sister Tania Rendon.

St. Joseph's Hospital told the family they would have to find long term care for Victoria or she would have to be returned to Mexico.

The hospital issued this statement: "St. Joseph's will only consider a transfer outside of the state when there are no other options available to the patient to long-term care in Arizona and when the patient is eligible to receive such care through the health insurance program in their home state or country."

The family doesn't blame the hospital.

"Well, I would love for them to keep her here longer and giver her the attention she needs but I understand that they are doing what they have to do," said her mother [translated from Spanish]. "God has placed love in my heart for everyone, so, I don't blame anybody."

Three weeks ago, Victoria was struck down by a car at 18th Ave and Monte Vista while crossing the street.

The costs of Victoria’s long term care has already cost the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars. She will discharged Friday for long term care -- that the family can't afford.

Family and friends say they will do whatever they can to raise the money to care for Victoria here in the U.S.

"There's this clinic that we want to send her, and that clinic is charging us $600 for one day," says Rendon.

They say returning her to Mexico would essentially be writing her death warrant.

You can donate to help pay Victoria Rendon’s hospital bills, Wells Fargo account #8431577272.

Hospital Wants to Send Comatose Girl Back to Mexico