When no other baby stepped or crawled up to the plate on New Year’s Day to be Santa Cruz County’s first baby of 2010, Javier Alexander Flores Huerta decided to take the plunge.

Sury Madai Huerta, 22, of Nogales, Sonora, holds Javier Alexander Flores Huerta as father Javier Flores Tonix, 24, holds Javier Alexander’s sister, Lizbeth. Photo / Priscilla Bolaños

Problem is he was two months premature. Mommy and daddy thought they had everything set financially for his scheduled arrival in March, but fate had other plans. He came into this world Saturday, Jan. 2, at 10:52 a.m., weighing 3.13 pounds and was a lanky 17 inches long.

While some bills are still pending locally, Javier Flores Tonix, 24, and Sury Madai Huerta, 22, of Nogales, Sonora pre-paid much of the delivery costs and their baby was born in Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales, Ariz.

But Javier Alexander needed much more care and had to be airlifted by helicopter to University Medical Center in Tucson, a very costly endeavor. That amount was dwarfed compared to the $66,000 they now owe UMC.

Sury Madai is unemployed and her husband works at a curio shop on Calle Obregon in Sonora. Their bundle of joy came with the anxiety of what seemed to them an insurmountable mountain of debt.

Sergio Hernandez, who handles international billing for the hospital, said UMC will work with the couple. He has crafted an agreement where if the couple can come up with about $5,000 by Wednesday, Feb. 17, UMC will try to get approximately $50,000 deducted from the bill. As per the agreement, the balance will be paid in installments without interest or penalties, Hernandez said. If the couple does not stick to the agreement, all bets are off and the full amount becomes due.

“We understand this became a critical situation and the hospital is ready to help with all aspects,” Hernandez said. “But it is important that (the couple) demonstrates (its) commitment to help meet this obligation. It goes both ways. This arrangement must be a mutual collaboration for us to help in this manner.”

Sury Midai said that she and the boy’s father are hard-pressed to come up with the money because already, family has helped with other related bills and the economic situation in general is difficult.

An account is being established at Chase Bank for anyone who may want to help. As of press time, the account number was not available. For account information, call Sury Madai at 011-521-631-1060479, or the Nogales International at (520) 375-5760.

Javier Alexander was at UMC in an incubator for about two weeks and then transported to the General Hospital in Nogales, Sonora. Last week he was allowed to go home, said his mother, adding that doctors ordered the baby remain inside the home until it is determined that it is safe for him to be exposed to the elements.

Dr. Jose Duran of Nogales delivered Javier Alexander. He said that many times premature babies’ must be monitored and provided treatment for breathing as their lungs continue to develop; may require a feeding tube; and must be protected against hypothermia as they have difficulties regulating their own body temperatures.

Interviewed on Thursday, Sury Madai said her baby was doing well. He has a two-year-old sister, Lizbeth.

As the winner of the Nogales International/Weekly Bulletin First Baby Contest, Javier Alexander received multiple gifts from local merchants. Please see Pages 7B and 8B.

An account is being established at Chase Bank for anyone who may want to help. For account information, call Sury Madai at 011-521-631-1060479, or the Nogales International at (520) 375-5760.