Families seek Justice for Baby Aaron and Deon
Guerrero’s nightmare at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was far from over after her newborn son, Aaron Allen, died inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. At the time that Aaron Allen’s body was being held in the hospital morgue, a second newborn named Aaron Jones was also being housed. Aaron Allen’s body was released by the morgue to a funeral home that was hired to cremate the body of Aaron Jones. It’s a mix-up that has caused Guerrero great grief and demanding change. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
After her newborn son Aaron Allen passed away inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, his body ended up in the hands of the wrong funeral home and ultimately the wrong family. The news was first relayed to the funeral home that Guerrero hired to conduct the funeral. Guerrero later learnt of her the misfortune.
Nahomy Guerrero
Nahomy Guerrero, Mother of Deceased Baby
“The first thing they asked was hello, Ms Nahomy, how many funeral service homes you seek for help. My mom said what? Only Jenkins, only Mr. Jenkins we gone. Then that is when Mr. Coye came and told us, I am very sorry Ms. Naomi I know I haven’t met you before, but there was a misunderstanding with your baby’s body and unfortunately, I have cremated your son this morning.”
This is Naomi Guerrero and her family on July twelfth, the day she received the horrifying information. Guerrero was inconsolable and still recovering from a c-section she underwent a day prior.
Nahomy Guerrero
Nahomy Guerrero, Mother of Deceased Baby (File: Jul 12, 2023)
“I just the ask for justice, mek the hospital stop be so negligent and do what they want. That is not fair. I have a c-section. I am in pain physically, emotionally for mek deh come give me more pain like that, it is not fair.”
So, where was the breakdown? The management at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital issued a brief statement the day after saying that it continues to prioritize the matter and that it is working with all parities to take the necessary remedial action. We have since reached out to the hospital for further comments. Chief Executive Officer Chandra Cansino recently informed News Five that the hospital cannot provide details on the error because Guerrero has threatened legal action. Guerrero revealed that she met with hospital following what had occurred.
Nahomy Guerrero
“We had the meeting, and we were present with a lawyer. They asked us, the CEO was there shaking and stuttering, saying they are sorry for their mistake that had happened and that they will investigate what really had happened the day and they would like to know what we would like.”
The funeral home that Guerrero’s family hired, Jenkins Funeral Home, denied comments. We also reached out to Coye Funeral Home for comments and got no response. Reports are that the hospital has implemented new policies at its morgue. Among them, funeral homes can no longer retrieve a body from the morgue in the absence of a family member or next of kin. But, Guerrero says the hospital must do more.
Nahomy Guerrero
“Obviously we want a compensation for the cremation and neglect of the baby and me. And, nuh only that because I want mek deh better themselves in the hospital to better Belize, because it is our Belizeans who are getting sacrificed.”
Deon Woodeye Jr.
It is yet to be seen whether a settlement will be reached between two parties. In Corozal, Leah and Deon Woodeye have similar desires to see that no one else experiences a similar hospital horror.
Deon Woodeye
Deon Woodeye, Father of Deceased Baby
“I just want justice and we need that because its other people to. And we need a compensation too because shit, for years we the go on cases and nothing the happen. At least to get back the money we the spend and for lawyers and everything we the go through lot and with she sickness we the guh through lot to.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
