A Cullman County family wants their loved one's body released from a hospital in the Philippines after they said they were taken advantage of and possibly scammed during his illness over the past month and a half.
Gary Hawkins has five children, two of which live in the United States. His other three children live in the Philippines, where he has lived for the past 13 years.
Hawkins met his wife Lyn online while doing mission work in Mexico. He gave away everything he had and moved to the Philippines to marry Lyn and continue his mission. The couple did ministry work in a children's home and prisons.
Hawkins, who suffered from anxiety and mental health issues, became malnourished, and his health declined drastically over the past year. In May, he was hospitalized and placed on life support. That's when the nightmare began for his family here in Alabama.
His sister, Carol Harris, who lives in Cullman, said the hospital would call daily for money for medications and treatment.
"Every time he needed something, they wouldn't give it to him unless we sent money," Harris told 1819 News. "It got up to $200 to $300 a day. Nobody can do that, you know."
The family started a GoFundMe account that raised over $2,000. Harris said that helped, but it didn't cover the over $30,000 owed to the hospital.
Hawkins passed away on Father's Day, June 16. Harris said the hospital won't show her any paperwork but still wants the money owed before they release Hawkins' body.
"When he passed away, within 20 minutes, I was getting contacted for payment," she explained. "I asked about his wife because over there, they have armed guards in the hospital, but it's not to keep people out; it's to keep people who owe bills in."
"There was even a time when he was trying to get out and he could have walked out," Harris continued. "But he wouldn't. He had no choice but to stay. I don't know. It's just a mess. Talking to his wife just breaks my heart. She has three kids and she is ready to move on. She's begging me to send the money."
In tears, Harris said it was Hawkins' wish to be cremated and for his remains to be split between family in the Philippines and the United States. He had dual citizenship in the United States and the Philippines.
Harris contacted the office of U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville). Aderholt's spokesman Carson Clark told 1819 News they are working on the situation but said dealing with a foreign government can be complicated.
"This is certainly a different circumstance from when you are dealing with an issue concerning a federal agency," said Clark. "In those cases, you have jurisdiction because members of Congress have a level of oversight. Here, we are dealing with a foreign government. So, we are in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and they are aware of the case."
Clark said the office is doing all they can to ensure Hawkins' remains can be released.
Harris said hospital officials have also offered a payment plan, but with no guarantee, she cannot trust the system.
"There is no guarantee that would go towards his bill or even that we will get his body," she said. "It does not guarantee that Lyn is going to be free or that they won't hold her responsible for the rest of the bill. His wife just wants me to pay the money but she doesn't understand. I keep telling her it's a scam, so it breaks my heart to tell her no."
In the meantime, Harris says she wants to warn people about traveling and moving abroad.
"If you go overseas, if you live overseas, if you just visit, make sure you have the correct type of insurance wherever you're going because you don't want your family to go through what we're going through," Harris added.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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