Sick girl who left Phoenix hospital safe in Mexico

PHOENIX (AP) — An 11-year-old girl whose mother took her from a Phoenix hospital where she was receiving treatment for leukemia appeared to be safe and healthy in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.

Phoenix police have been searching for Emily Bracamontes since her mother took her from Phoenix Children's Hospital on Nov. 28. Authorities said she could die from an infection because she had a catheter inserted into her heart to provide medication.

Emily's mother, Norma Bracamontes, appeared with her daughter Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America" and blamed the hospital for an infection that led to her daughter's right arm being amputated. The family and Emily were being intimidated by the hospital over bills, she said.

"Emily, you're not going to go home because your mom and dad, they haven't filled (out) all the forms, so blame them that you're going to remain here stuck in the hospital," Norma Bracamontes said hospital officials told her daughter.

Emily underwent about a month of chemotherapy and had been treated for an infection that forced doctors to amputate her arm, police said. Her mother unhooked the tubing from an IV and left with the girl, leaving her susceptible to infection.

She appeared with her mother in what appeared to be a medical facility. The facility was not identified.

"I am here and it kinda feels good because the doctors really love me so much," said a bright-eyed and smiling Emily, who wore a pink knitted cap.

Emily's father, Luis Bracamontes, said last week in an interview with NBC News that his daughter was safe and being treated by doctors in Mexico.

Phoenix Children's Hospital told ABC that it follows accepted treatment protocols to prevent infection and treats patients with limited ability to pay the same as paying patients.

Phoenix police didn't immediately respond to inquiries about the status of their investigation Wednesday.