FAMILIES across the country fear they have lost thousands of dollars after using a surrogacy company to make their dreams of becoming parents come true.
The Houston, Texas-based company Surrogacy Escrow Account Management has left prospective parents and surrogates in limbo.
3
Couples who invested up to $60,000 told Fox News affiliate KRIV that your money is missing and SEAM refuses to answer your questions.
Annamaria Gallozzi of Austin has already used SEAM to help her become a mother.
Although there had been no previous problems, this second time she feels desperate and worried after her money allegedly went missing.
“We are not rich. Most people who are going through surrogacy now are not,” she said.
“They are working multiple jobs to make this happen and now that money may be gone.
“It’s devastating and scary. You start to feel even more desperate than before.”
Meanwhile, a California family is demanding answers from SEAM owner Dominique Side after deciding to opt for surrogacy after exploring adoption and IVF.
“We want to know what she’s doing with our money, where the money is and if it’s there,” Chris Kettmann said.
The father-to-be added that he, his wife and all other SEAM customers need to receive honest communications from the company after a “general statement” was previously issued.
An email from Side to its customers abruptly informed them that the company’s operations had been halted.
“Due to legal actions, I regret to inform you that all operations have been suspended,” stated the email shown to KRIV.
“At this time I am unable to provide further details on this matter.”
Not only are hopeful fathers affected by this change, but also the women who act as surrogates.
“She knows what she’s doing, she knows it’s wrong,” Haley Rexroat, a surrogate mother from Iowa, said of SEAM’s owner.
“She knows she’s messing with a lot of people who don’t deserve it.
“They’ve been through a lot to get to this point.”
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is when a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another couple or individual.
Surrogate mothers become pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the fertilized egg from the intended mother or an egg donor with the sperm from the intended father or sperm donor.
The surrogate mother’s egg is not used, meaning she is not genetically related to the child.
A legal contract is signed between both parties before surrogacy takes place.
Surrogacy costs between $110,000 and $170,000 for most families, according to the Las Vegas Fertility Center.
“This cost includes agency fees, compensation and surrogate expenses, legal fees and medical costs at a fertility clinic,” said the center explains.
Meanwhile, another family who recently had their second child through a SEAM surrogate, after their first child died at seven months old, said the unfolding drama at the company is disrupting the time they spend with their baby. newborn.
Justin Bennett and his wife welcomed their second child on Friday and are undergoing a second surrogacy with SEAM.
He explained that at a time when the family should be all focused on their new baby, instead, financial worries are “interrupting this beautiful moment” which he said is “very disappointing.”
US Sun has reached out to SEAM and Side for comment.
While KRIV did not receive a response, the outlet learned that civil lawsuits were filed against the surrogacy company in 2022 after it allegedly failed to pay property taxes.
Side then failed to appear in court after being notified and the land was sold at auction, according to court documents seen by KRIV.
SEAM’s owner also filed for bankruptcy in 2001.
3
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25510348/1394517124.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1)
