Couple cause outrage in Mexico after setting up crowdfunding page to help them leave ‘hell hole'
A fellow surrogacy father and the couple's Mexican lawyer disputed their claims
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A couple from New Zealand have caused an outcry after they described Mexico as a "hell hole".
David and Nicky Beard travelled to Mexico to have triplings - three babies born from one set of sperm and one egg, but carried by different surrogate mothers.
After running into financial difficulties, they publicly appealed for money, making claims to media about the "cockroach-infested hospital" in a "dangerous country" they described as "third world".
"We have spent every cent we have left to bring these three beautiful Kiwi babies into the world. We now need to get ourselves and the three babies out of this dangerous country and back to the safety of New Zealand," the couple told the Gay NZ website.
Their friend set up a Give A Little online donations page to help them return to New Zealand, which has raised over NZ$28,000.
However, a fellow surrogacy father said the couple spoke in glowing terms about the country and the people when he met them. He told The Guardian he found it offensive they were now "telling a totally different story".
“It’s very nice to hear people from outside [the country] talk well of Mexico," he said.
"I’m kind of shocked because I was surfing the web and found this news about these guys from New Zealand telling a totally different story."
The couple's Mexican lawyer also disputed their claims, telling The Guardian: "There are no problems. They need to sign some affidavits and some consents for the adoption, but they are not stuck here.
"I didn't understand why in the interview he said that at the place where the babies were born there were cockroaches.
"It's a private clinic. You can get everything here. He wrote something that this was a 'hell hole'. I thought, 'What's wrong with you?'"
Mexico recently banned international surrogacy for homosexual couples, but the surrogates were already pregnant before the law passed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments