Chicago-based John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County has apologized to the family of a 7-year-old girl who was shot Oct. 31 after they weren't allowed to see her and were forced to wait hours outside in the cold, according to NBC 5.
Giselle Zamago was trick-or-treating when she was shot, allegedly by a 15-year-old gang member, and rushed to the hospital. The suspect meant to shoot a rival gang member, according to prosecutors.
Hospital police wouldn't let the Zamago family inside the hospital, even after police vouched for them, a source told NBC 5. Eventually, police ordered cars for the family so they didn't have to wait in the cold rain.
The hospital has a policy allowing visitor restriction when "a high profile trauma incident occurs, or when incidents have the potential to pose increased risk to patients and staff," Caryn Stancik, Stroger Hospital spokesperson, said in a Nov. 5 statement to NBC 5. "We misapplied this policy last Thursday evening and have apologized to the family."
Giselle is no longer in grave condition, health officials said Nov. 4. When NBC 5 contacted the Zamango family, they declined comment.