Pregnant Conn. teen with Zika stirs up debate on Go Fund Me page
DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) – The pregnant Danbury teen who has been diagnosed with the Zika virus is getting some harsh criticism for creating a fundraising page for her unborn baby.
Seventeen-year-old, Sara Mujica, found out she was pregnant in March while vising her 19-year-old fiance Victor Cruz in Honduras. After experiencing an illness that gave her rashes, headaches and neck aches, she went to Danbury hospital, where she tested positive for Zika.
Zika virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito and has become an epidemic in the Caribbean and in Latin America. For pregnant women, it can cause microcephaly, which is a severe birth defect where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brain damage. However the rate at which mothers infected with Zika have babies with birth defects is unknown.Related: Pregnant Connecticut teen shocked to learn she has Zika
Despite the risk, Mujica, who is Catholic and said she does not believe in abortion, has decided to keep the baby.
“This is my blessing. This is my miracle,” she told the Associated Press.
Because of the medical problems her baby may have, Mujica also decided to create aGo Fund Me page asking for people to donate money for healthcare costs for her baby.
“Being young and pregnant is one thing, but now I Am Still pregnant and young but going through the worst time ever with the news about me having Zika. Every Donation Will Be Helpful & I am so Greatful,” she wrote on the page.Related: Pregnant woman with Zika speaking out
However, this got the attention of more than just people willing to donate money. Many people commented on the page, criticizing the teen for her “selective Catholicism” and for asking others to pay for her “horrible decisions.”
Here are some examples:
Sarah Czerwonka wrote: “So ur cool with premarital sex, but not abortion. Just sayin.”
Lilith Jade wrote: “You’re being selfish and opportunistic. You should abort the fetus before it becomes another burden on society. Also if you’re fine with premarital sex then you can’t use religion as an excuse not to abort.”
Elizabeth Tucker wrote: “So she gets to make the choice and we’re all supposed to foot the bill. Yep, that sounds about right. What a joke. GO FUND YOURSELF.”
Meagan Byrne Elliott wrote: “You are a ridiculously selfish person. You are making horrible decisions and now you want other people to fund it! How dare you! Make the right choice and give the baby up for adoption!”
Others came to Mujica’s defense and gave her praise for being “brave” and a “great person.”
Aashish Katara wrote: “Sara, don’t listen to these haters. You are a great person, and I know your baby will be beautiful no matter what! There are a lot of ignorant people in this world, but there are still plenty of us out there on your side. Be strong. Good luck!”
Samantha Jackson wrote: “Everyone makes mistakes even believers of Christ! A child is not a mistake.”
Leslie Wolfgang wrote: “You are a brave and strong young woman. You are doing the right thing and don’t let the “haters” bring you down.
I am going to share your page with all my friends so they can help you and your precious baby!”
Katy Stevens wrote: “I think what you are doing is so brave and admirable! All babies are a blessing and women abort them for for so much less than a reason like this. You are truly a great young lady and may God bless you and your family!”
Mujica wrote on her Go Fund Me page that if her baby “came out normal” without birth defects, then she would “donate the money to people in need.” As of Monday, the site has raised $4,165.