eriff's office said about the arrests.

But the family's attorney, Phillip Arroyo, said Friday that the two were arrested in the hospital's emergency room while still receiving treatment. The women later signed voluntary departure forms, and ICE escorted them to the airport and placed them on the plane back to Ecuador, he said.

The Friday news conference was held just down the street from the hospital where the arrests took place.

Arroyo said Calero Cabanilla could have stayed in the country legally since she applied for asylum before her visa expired. He added that her daughter's visa expires in 2032. The only reason the Calero Cabanilla chose to self-deport instead of fighting the case, he said, was because she didn't want her daughter to remain in jail for health reasons, as the teenager suffered a seizure at the hospital.

Gia Calero said she was upset that she still hasn't received answers about the arrest from law enforcement or the hospital.

A spokesperson for HCA Florida said Friday in a statement that  we are required to comply with laws and regulations that govern interactions with verified members of law enforcement when they enter our hospital. 

But, it added,  Our focus and priority always is taking care of every patient who comes through our emergency room doors, regardless of immigration status…at all times and no matter what the situation, we do not deviate from our goal of providing the medical care our patients need and deserve. 

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to support the two. It has raised $10,000 of its $20,000 goal as of Friday.

 Grace and Giulianna were involved in a nearly fatal car accident that left their car flipped over and totaled. They were taken by ambulance to HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital with neck and other bodily injuries, already in shock and trying to process what had just happened. While they were in that vulnerable state, an officer questioned them about their immigration status,  the GoFundMe said.

 After hours of confusion and fear, Grace was taken away in handcuffs despite her injuries, and 19-year-old Giulianna was left alone,  the page added.