Tourist in accident complains of unfair treatment
suzan benzle boutz
Still on the police, the family of a businesswoman from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is accusing the department of corruption. The woman came to Belize in December for a three week Christmas vacation with her family. But she is getting an extended stay because she is facing two charges following a traffic accident at the junction of the Southern Highway and the Placencia Road. Suzan Benzle Boutz’ story has been posted on the internet with her version of events which gives the police department a black eye. She owns a company that specializes in religious jewelry and textiles. News Five Delahnie Bain reports.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
The family of sixty year old Suzan Benzle Boutz has returned to the US after a visit to the jewel. Suzan was involved in a traffic incident in the south which ash led to her detention, arrest and the surrender of her passport to prevent her from leaving Belize until the conclusion of her case for two traffic offences. Her son, Elliott Benzle, has posted a website called Belize Travel Review with a large banner at the top, saying “Warning Do Not Travel to Belize”. The site carries their version of the accident, which according to Susan and her son, was not her fault. They claim Susan was driving a rented Daihatsu Terrios at about six-forty-five on December twentieth. 
She stopped at the junction of the Placencia Road and the Southern Highway and that’s when, Rony Cruz, who was travelling on a motorcycle, allegedly swerved into the wrong lane, and slammed into the vehicle. The impact flung him over the SUV before he landed on the pavement. Cruz is also said to have hit his head on the windshield during the collision.
Susan’s son alleges that after the accident, Independence Police refused to take statements from willing eyewitnesses and one was later threatened. In her own statement on the website, Susan says she was held for eighteen hours at the police station before she was given any information about the charges or was allowed to contact an attorney. She further states that she slept on a bare concrete floor and was taunted by officers on duty that night. She has been charged with Negligent Grievous Harm and Driving Without Due Care and Attention. As for the website, Susan’s son says it will be removed as soon as his mother is allowed to leave the country. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
Boutz pleaded not guilty to the two charges and despite requests for a speedy trial, she goes back to court on January twenty-seventh; more than a month after the accident. Meanwhile, Rony Cruz has been treated for his injuries and released from the hospital.
I wonder what effect it would have if a person is treated badly in the United States by police officers and posted such a notice on the a website? Of course this is something that happens in the US all the time with their own citizens especially if they are of color. Can you do us all a favor in Belize and make your protest in front of Carnival Cruise lines at the port in Miami, maybe it will have the necessary effects on cruise tourism however tourists are welcome, sorry for the unfortunate incident but stuff happens, I don’t know what the rules are but I am sure if she did not have the ability to run she would not have been arrested maybe they could have just confiscated the passport until the whole thing is settled, might have been her mouth that got the cops aggravated with her it is usually better to make yourself humble in situations like these.
Let’s face it, even Belizeans think the police are incompetent at best, and corrupt criminals at worst. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that tourists who encounter them think so, too.
We get the police we deserve, and maybe our reputation will have to suffer for our stupidity.
Belize will have a bad reputation. Because It’s currently on the U.S media. Belize is not cooperating with U.S authorities such as the state senator of where the lady is from.
Even Belizeans have been arrested and held, tortured, threatened, slept on bare concrete floor and taunted by officers in the police department. This should not come to any Belizean as a shock, so leave your cruelty by the door. I cannot blame the tourists for their website over this matter; I would have done the same thing. The police in Belize need a lot of education, and discipline, which is yet another fact.
are kiddind me …
it is that idiot fault ,drivind head on in the wrong lane .
i bat if she would pay off police she would be home already.
way to go Belize less tourists more poverty for the people….
Refer to MADD’s Mission Statement for insight into this case.
Motorcyclist Safety – Bikers Rights
MADD’s Mission Statement
Bikers Rights must mean first and foremost our right to ride free of the threat auto drivers pose to bikers lives and limbs. The Mission of Motorcyclists Against Dumb Drivers is to get mad, take names and kick @$$ on the most important issue facing all American motorcyclists, and that is the unnecessary dangers we face riding, which are overwhelmingly the result of auto driver inattention to motorcyclists, auto driver ignorance of motorcycle safety issues and auto driver ignorance of the motorcycle accident avoidance strategies essential for the protection of motorcyclists. The solution to ignorance is education. Specifically, mandatory auto driver education to modify auto driver inattentional blindness to motorcyclists, comprehensive education on motorcycle safety issues and the motorcycle accident avoidance strategies which auto drivers must employ for the safety of motorcyclists; revising the driver education booklets to include this comprehensive motorcycle safety information, modifying the written tests which auto drivers must take to obtain and renew their drivers licenses to include a comprehensive list of motorcycle safety questions, and obtaining official state policies to deny driving privileges to any driver who fails to demonstrate a full appreciation of motorcycle safety issues by answering all motorcycle safety questions correctly. Because auto driver inattentional blindness specific to motorcyclists is a major factor resulting particularly in intersection motorcycle accidents, in addition to targeted auto driver education, strong motorcycle accident specific “right of way violation” penalty legislation is also considered essential. Motorcyclist safety must be seen as our most basic of bikers rights.
who cares about them, again an american thinks they are above the laws of the land .
while police may be looked at as incompetent in handling the case, in this situation, its the Ministry of police and foreign affairs that are to blame for not having looked at the situation earlier……but then, just as how Belizeans are treated in similar situations, its good to see that people are not running crazy all over the place just because it happens to be a Gringo involved. certain people feel like they ara Gods gift to Earth and should therefore command ‘special’ treatment wherever they go and flash their passport…..wellcum to Belize Polize Dept. where all are as smart as the Minister
WHAT IS THE USA AMBASSADOR DOING IN BELIZE.IS HE KEEPING UP WITH THE ABUSE OF POWER TO THE CITIZEN OF AMERICA? HE JUST GAVE THE POLICE DEPT FIVE MILLIONS $ AND THIS IS THEY WAY THERE ARE USING THE USA $ TO ABUSE THE AMERICAN WAKE UP MR.AMBASSADOR WE CAN GET OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE INVOLVE .WILL THIS CASE BE LIKE THE GUY WHO WAS LOCK UP IN GUATEMALA THAT THE REPORTER HAD TO FIGHT FOR?PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION .
For a while now we have been hearing all sorts of complaints from locals and in this case foreigners about the credibility of our failing police department. I know we can’t speculate without first hearing or examining the facts but this lady seems pretty focused on the actual events of what happened. Why is it that the police are not cooperating with her to solve what in my eyes is NOT rocket science. Indeed issues as such does make.Our country look very incompetent and unable to provide transparency and fairness in whatever the situation might be. Certainly the folks are indeed counter attacking not just the police department but our entire country because of a simple traffic accident the police can’t seem to handle! Is it really worth it people? ?
Looks like the police need more money for Christmas This is a lot like OOPS!!!!!!!! arrested the wrong man in Caye corker. THE POLICE are just being Thieves and want money. I have another friend and he payed now the same police want to sell him what they bust him for. IT IS THE WAY OF A BEGGAR only these beggars are SUPPOSED to enforce the law and have guns!!!!!! They gave her 18 hrs to pay them she did not so she is charged.
If found innocent these officers should have to pay for the time and money that this family has been robed of.
Does someone not like my comment? why is it still awaiting moderation?
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I wonder what effect it would have if a person is treated badly in the United States by police officers and posted such a notice on the a website? Of course this is something that happens in the US all the time with their own citizens especially if they are of color. Can you do us all a favor in Belize and make your protest in front of Carnival Cruise lines at the port in Miami, maybe it will have the necessary effects on cruise tourism however tourists are welcome, sorry for the unfortunate incident but stuff happens, I don’t know what the rules are but I am sure if she did not have the ability to run she would not have been arrested maybe they could have just confiscated the passport until the whole thing is settled, might have been her mouth that got the cops aggravated with her it is usually better to make yourself humble in situations like these.
Where there is smoke there is fire. First the locals now the foreigners are attacking the police. It is sad that we cannot trust the police to carry on a simple task like this and now our country is being prifiled negatively. Where is the leadership in the country?
Update on OOPS!!!!!!!!! The man they were looking for was over 6 feet tall my friend is only 5 foot 6 inches OK he had the correct hair color so I can understand how if the picture if correct above the police are doing their JOB.
The Canadian national was robbed beaten and released and even after proving he was not in the country when the crime was committed was not apologized to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT DAY FOR TOURISM THANKS
First to say, sorry to family for this. But after living in this country 20 years I sure would like to hear the other side of the story. All my dealings with police and especially tourist police have been reasonable and just. Why did the son leave his Mother there? And posting bond is not extortion, that is a normal way of doing business. Who are these eye witnesses that are being threatened with their life, can’t they at least come forward over the internet anonomsly.. If she was honestly stopped, why did she get charged, there must be more to this story. I think Belize needs to respond to these accusations, other wise that is all the US public is going to hear.
I concur with Minister Singh, Americans think they are so special and have always wanted special attention wherever the go. A man was injured, and what does this lady expect, the person that got hurt is not an animal, and even though if it was an animal it has feelings. Whosoever is involved must face the music. An offence is committed and must be dealt with, Even the then minister Marcial Mes was charged for a traffic offence and lately Minister Coy. If the incident should have happened in a hostile country, then we would not have been hearing any kind of complaints.
Her story does not sound much worse then what I experienced in Texas, and in my case no one was injured. An eh cold da states
WELL, i really am tired of having foreigners come and expect court to go the way for them as they are special….everyone knows if u are in a traffic accident and hurt a person you have to go to court, and as every foreigner who commits an offence in a foregin country their passport is ceased even locals who commit certain offences or crimes and may flee papers are taken from them. so whats so special of her? this is not just a traffic accicdent where no one got hurt, what about the victim???? to hell with him! just cause she wants to flee back home! if she was in any way taken advantage wouldnt the US embassy be in all out media houses or sent a press release! really she need to take the consequenses of her deeds and pay for it just as if any of us would have had a traffic accident and hurt someone…..REALLY do we have to bendbackwards because she is a foreigner-
@ ruby 3 This dumb @$$ did NOT have a helmet on
Please investigate, on Thursday January 6 an UNAUTHORIZED plane was trying to land at the Philip Goldson International Airport.
Yes, those rude American who have the nerve to insist that the laws of Belize are respected and the Police goes after the perpetrator rather than harassing the victim of a traffic accident.
There is no need to bend over backwards – just respect the law. In the US if situation like this happens – and they do happen, they are publicized, heads roll whenever improprieties in police behavior are proven and things change a bit. This lady is not doing anything different and extraordinary that what she’d be doing in the US if she was a subject of such outrageous police shakedown and harassment as what is happening to her in Belize now.
It’s too bad that the man got hurt and his motorcycle was damaged, but it happened by no fault of anybody else but his. Get it? If you get drunk and drive your motorcycle into a stationary car, EVEN if that vehicle is driven by a foreigner, Caucasian, Oriental, woman, gay or whatever other group you like to blame for your sorry state and feel entitled to a share of what’s theirs – YOU are at fault. YOU are responsible for repairing your motorcycle at YOUR cost, as well as paying for your medical care or any damages in case you become invalid.
Proud to be Belizean today! Finally Belizeans are standing up for ourselves. We need to support our own system. Imagine if it was one of us Belizeans has an accident in the US, do you think we will get special treatment? Do you think that they will let us back in our country? Come on, she is going out of proportion on the issue. Cause guess what, as soon as she leaves Belize, do you think she will ever comes back to attend to the court? Hell No, many of these instances have happens in Belize except you dont see it on news. But many of these foreigners they come to Belize and think they are above the law. I have also personally experienced one incident with a foreigner and our DPP office refused to charge the guy. and guess what he left, so I never recover anything. I support the police who ever arrest her and keep her hold here. She thinks the police station is a hotel? So she can sleep on spring bed? and all the works? So many Americans has come here and scam Belizean or even blame Belizeans for wrong doings. SO I am so proud to be Belizean for this. Go, stand up, don’t let any of these so call first world country people come and tell us we are not good or less than they are. If they are in our country, they need to learn to obey our law. As the same when we are in their country, we obey their laws.
lynlyn,
Proud to be Belizean? Mrs. Suzan was not asking for a, “spring bed in the police station” and she is not acting “Above the law.” The point Lynlyn, is that No One should be treated like this, not a Native Belizean or even a foreigner. I would really hope that ANYONE that was treated like this, ANYWHERE in the world would do their best to get themselves out of a situation like this. I hope people can see this situation for what it is and not a political one.
Just another big time foreigner vex cause she got locked up….hmm woman you knock down somebody….stay here and face the music….you can rail up all you want on ur website but the fact is you hurt someone……all their comments sounds like hatred and not much facts
No one to blame but the woman…if she mi di watch how she drive this never would have happened…she would have done gone back home than have to sleep on floor hmm which I don’t believe she did
I am sure our police officers can do a better job, and drivres in Belize can also use much more common sense when operating a vehicle on the road. But when ever americans cannot have their way they behave this way. No Belizean can come to america and ask them to speed up their court system so we can leave and come back to belize if we have an accident. neither would they surrender their citizens to us for trial the way we do with our Belizeans.
So she does not want due process to take place she wants all other cases to be set asside and rush hers through he system so she can go on her way. If I understand this correctly this is called preferential treatment. How many americans we have already taken at their word and release them only to find out they fain some illness to be set free. Boats just damaged our reef and no one was charged. Which Belizean can come to america and cause this much damage and be set free before the trial so they can return to Belize? Not in this life time!
It is an inconvenience and this is unfortunate and I am sure there is way more to this story than they are saying. I am sure she is coping an attitude!
Hilarious!
Too bad Tourist you breached the law as a result deal with the consiquence.!@#$ like this happens in the US on a daily basis.
seriously to the guy who posted that stuff about belize. WELL THANKS hahah really who care they come to belize if they want if u dont want stay where u r. PPl of belize isnt this stupid dont spend the time arguing with and ignorant person who want special treatment its how or system work that is if its great or not if its corrupted or not so let them deal with it. Seriously we must all stand up cause there are so many good reason y ppl come to belize but one stupid incident where they seem to want special treatment will not reflect anything about belize. Dont bend down to anyone or any nation. Keep on do what u do police and bdf of belize u all are working with a tight budget so to hell with those who are not satisfied.
Mr. Mars. I have to say that, we are hearing different types of stories. Being that I have experienced first hand with Americans, you can never please them. They over exaggerated. So what she goes through it is what normal Belizean would have gotten if they were detained. I understand that you would not want to see anyone to go through it but then again, it is what Belize Police can afford to give as a detention. She is complained that how she was treated, haunted all night by the officers, well I am sure the officers has to check on her and she did not get a good night through then that is not fit for her standard. What if the same situation happens to a Belizean in the US, do you think that the US police will treat him/her better? It is the same in the US detention of the police, there is just barely benches to sit on. I am not saying that we are not treating her fairly, but it is a procedure, police has the right to detain you for I believe 48 hrs, without charges, and she was read charges against her and gotten bailed with in that 48hrs time. So it is a procedure. Yes we need to treat a foreigner special but not when they are in trouble with the law. What if in this case, she killed the Belizean biker? and if it was a Belizean who has the accident, he or she will have to go through the same procedure. So it is not a matter of who you are, in front of the law we are all equal. Not because of the skin color or which country you were born. I suggest that if she was mistreated, she can go to the internal affair office filing a complain and then maybe even the US embassy will do so, if they sees that it was wrong doing of our police. But here is a article I found that her son had stated, that even the US embassy was not assist them. here is the link. http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_191959.asp. Quote”Her son said, “Witnesses to the accident have had their lives threatened. At this point it appears that no one in the Belizean government can be trusted and our U.S. Embassy is ineffective. Without some outside pressure we feel that we are at the mercy of a corrupt government.””My mother was forced to sleep on a bare concrete floor, there was no working toilet, and she was verbally harassed by the police officers on duty throughout the night. The guards repeatedly tried to take her phone and put her in the cell block. Well as a detainee, you are not allow to have a phone! That is the basic knowledge, and even in the US it is so. I am sorry that I am so into it, because really they expected to be treated differently either because they are white or they are American. But I do not think that is right and the statements they have stated on the site, is so bias. If this was a black person, and happens in the US, do you think you will hear this and see this on TV?
I know the our Police department is not the best in the world but that is all we can afford. But truth to the fact, if they are visiting our country then follow our rules, if we were to vacation in their country, we will have to put on seat belt, if not we get a ticket or arrest. So can we complained? if we were to be beaten by their police, do you think we would be able to make such a big stink out of it? Every story has 2 sides to it!
So what if this Yankie gal was detained and had to sleep on a cement floor? What the hell she expect, a water bed? Belizeans in the states don’t get no special treatment from the police when they break the law. White folks believe that they are entitle to special treatment where ever they go, especially Americans.
One last comment, I am not anti anyone, but sometimes it is cry wolf. We may have seen many of these on the news.
I saw nothing in the report about the guy that got hit by the or hit the car; I mean this report from these people were so cold; no regard for the guy, if he was o.k. or not, it seems he was simply regarded as some scum of the earth who doesn’t matter as a human being.
This sounds to be like some foreigner who think they are important and got a spanking on the wrist and now throwing a tantrum. Feel no remorse for these people who did not even regard the safety or health of the man that was on the motorbike, after all he is still a human folks.
i guess it is better off to kill than get into an accident in Belize.the vehicle she was driving have insurance what is the big deal.let the insurance deal with the medical bill and pay off the victim if he was in the rite.why keep a person in a country for an accident, you all don’t forget America donate that lady taxes as well for us the have a better police force,she was not dealing with drug,even the drugs dealer get of easy.wake up my people.that is the reason why you pay for insurance.,don’t forget the five millions the usa donated to the Police Dept.
I hope she gets the death penalty!
Please give the police time to investigate, in any case an accident happens, we expect the people involved to be issued with intent to prosecute pending investigation.
this gives no @$$!@#$e right to go post any website discrediting our jewel or its law makers
Hey Mr Mars, y u noh donate wah building with some holding cell to the police and put suites een deh like Fort George with some nice comfy beds an shet yo !@$$$.
If the roads had center stripes there would be less problems. There seems to be an attitude that once the road is built, the stripe lasts forever and does not need to be maintained, Painting stripes on the roads could bankrupt the country, paint cost more than gold.
At night a center stripe is about the only thing a driver can count on. It keeps the car from getting near the edge of the road where people walk and ride bicycles. Or keeps two cars from having head on collisions. If you don’t know the center it is hard to make good evasive moves.
I am surprised more people are not dead. 3/4 of the deaths on the “Western highway of death” could have been prevented. Same true for the “Northern highway of death”.
@lynlyn. excellent response & clarification of your position. Most people who read the son’s article will see it for what it is..self serving. Our policemen can only benefit from additional training but so can most. We should question whether or not the Police were being bullish or just didn’t stay in what she assumed was their place. If the U.S. embassy believed she was right, she would have been on her way already.
The idiot on the motor cycle was riding illegally and if he would not have been riding illegal he would not have run into the woman!!!!!!!!!!!! The law says you must wear a helmet!!!!
Bruce, would the helmet have kept the lady from hitting him? 2 wrongs don’t make 1 right
Who the hell is this American????? Caz she got Money?????? We dont need you Money you American Lady…… Face the music… Welcome to Belize.
Pay the price caz you think your Special……… The Magistate should just lost you in Jail……….
@ Reggie: not because the American gov donates millions to Belize government, then we need to bend our back for them. The reason why American Embassy will not got into it, it is because it is our law and procedures.To me she was treated very good compared to the typical treatment of those taken in. The US Embassy should not get involved. They are currently doing several programs and if they said hey let the old lady out because she is an artist, American, or whatever reason, they would be further showing by example the double standards they have been working to assist them in straightening our their system. So no matter how much money they assist us with that gives no right to them that they can do whatever they wants. you need to understand that, this has already taken out of proportion by the lady and her son.
@ Reggie: in respond to your question that they have donating the money, then you can take a step back. So this is my question to you, in another words you are saying, as long as someone is paying you then you willing to allow them to do whatever they want to your family or family member? If so be it, then you should not ever call yourself Belizean!
In the USA , if there were witness’ at the scene that said a. the car was stopped. b. the bike hit the car. c. that the bike had no lights on. The driver would not have been arrested. If cops were to ignore witness testimony, and arrest some one , and it is ultimately decided in court to be so…then the officers would be sued as well as the department they worked under for FALSE ARREST.
By the post of many Belize people, I have come to believe that the police in Belize are incompetent. No one seems to be safe from criminals there, and there are a lot. It seems every other week , sometimes every week somebody is burning somebody out…or hacking some body with a machete.
I have been watching your news for some time and even tried to respond to some posts. Trying to reason with people incapable of reason. What a waste of time. I see all the same names posting here. Mostly with anti USA and racist comments. Often violent comments . There seems to be a bit of talk about tourism , so I will address that. There are a variety of sailing and cruiser blogs on the internet, and I for one will post on them all, that it is not safe to travel to Belize. That Americans should go somewhere else, for their vacations.
If you don’t want us there…. I’ll help you out and tell everybody.
I bet you see a lot less sailors
Reference the comments made by mt boat i really dont understand what the hell he was saying???? Coming to Belize as a Tourist is just an option. No one is forcing anyone to visit our Jewel. And as a matter of fact who the hell cares whether you are here or not. This is our Justice system and every person who visits this country must abide with the Constitution of this Country. Instead you wasting your time in giving our Country a black eye you should take the time to educate yourself about our procedure and our justice system. But because you all think that you are white you all think that you are Gods. But not here in this Country…… Commit a crime then you will see if the Justice system dont lost you in Jail.lol
@mt boat, Belizeans are not telling Americans to stay home, I have spent most of my life in the US in the white community & every American who has traveled outside the US can tell you that they have run into some of their countrymen who meet the “Ugly American” stereotype. Assuming that because someone does not look like you or speak English poorly does not make them ignorant or stupid. You are now accusing the motorcyclist of being drunk, was the woman you are defending sober? She was down there having a good time.
Several years ago on a flight from Belize to Houston, I declined to change seats with a well dressed, God fearing, belligerent lush. She was drunk when she boarded the plane & ordered one drink after another after another which did not help her mood or foul mouth. At 50-60 years old she knew better & was arrogant because she fit a certain mold & knew that people like you would defend her without questions, thank god for cell phone cameras. While on a cruise a few years ago, some Americans were thrown out of a bar in Mexico because they were performing sex acts; none of these fools were spring chickens. Some were thrown out of the bar on the ship for the same reasons. I have seen behavior that none of you would even consider in your environs but assumed the idiots in poor countries should. As far as the crime rate, read the news about Mexico & everywhere else you go to thaw out .
You sure know how to spin don’t you. I NEVER said any one was drunk. I never assumed because some one doesn’t look like me or speaks poorly that they are stupid. The very words of the comments in this blog are what convinces me, that what I said was true. “It is a waste of time to try to reason with people incapable of reasoning. I refer to the racist and anti USA commenters that promote violence and racism. No one telling us to stay home? BS. read this and other blogs on this site. People ARE telling us to stay home.
As I expected some immediately jump up and try to twist what I said and how I meant it.
So … I say the same thing…Belize is not safe, especially for US citizens. My fellow sailors are a close group, the topic of safe travel and avoiding countries that abuse people is a common one in that group. As for the original post….Were there witness’? Did the police ignore the witnesses? Did the witness’ say the car was stopped? Did the witness say the bike hit the stopped car? Did the witnesses say the bike had no light?
@mt boat, everyone again only see her story online and it is only one side of the story, as it is can make it simple. the only reason they holding her passport it is because she is a flight risk, once she leaves then there is no telling that she will return to attend the trial. That is the reason why they hold her passport. It is call procedure. If can be done to satisfy the court as long as she can ensure that she will come back to Belize to attend to every court hearing then she definitely free to go home. But as in the US, remember a lot of these people that has jump their bail and flee to Belize because they do not want to face their court hearing then they flee to Belize to hide and has no plan to return to the US. Maybe the magistrate can pose a bail for $1 million or at least 1/2 million then that will ensure she returns every time to attend to the court and then once she can satisfy the court condition I am sure she can free to go. She is making this such a big deal. No one says she is guilty but the case is in investigation. It has to go through its course so everyone is talking and making comments and it is gone further and further than where the problem is. All the police doing is procedure, and the US embassy is also doing not to interfere it is also a procedure. So there is nothing out of ordinary in this case. But she feels that she is not taking care of because she did not have privilege. But of course in reality speaking she should now have privilege, cause in law no one is better than another. No matter what color, country you are from. And this is Belize, and once you are in Belize you follow Belize’s law and procedure, the same goes for anyone to visit US, we have to follow their rule and regulation. Especially law. It is just as this simple. If she can make a offer to the court, through a lawyer representing and renegotiate a condition and the magistrate can satisfy that she will return to Belize to attend to the court hearings then she is free to go I believe. Most of all, she and her son dont have the right to publish this on net without any merits, cause it is only their side of the story and it make it seem that Belize is horrible. But the bottom line the reason she can not leave is because she can not satisfy the court that she will return for the hearings.