The father who raised more than half a million dollars to help raise his Down syndrome baby boy has been accused of spending the money on himself, the reports.
New Zealander Sam Forrest had the heartfelt sympathy of people across the globe when his Armenian wife abandoned him and their baby Leo just one week after he was born on January 21 in her home country where disability is considered shameful.
But since the $600,000 was raised for their son, his wife Ruzan Badalyan has reunited with her family in New Zealand and now a family friend claims there are hundreds of thousands of dollars that have vanished.
The fact Mr Forrest is now $600,000 richer thanks to the money that was raised for Leo, is not the reason why Ms Badalyan changed her mind, she told 3News. She is just delighted to be reunited wither her son.
‘It was the happiest day,’ she says. ‘He was so small, so cute. I remember I hugged him. He started making some noises. He was so cute. I was very happy.
She has asked not to be judged by New Zealanders – it has not been revealed exactly where in the country they are living – but that they can just be left alone to get on happily as a family.