A teenager from Alberta is currently in a medically-induced coma in the Dominican Republic, following an alleged assault at a resort bar, as per his family’s statement. The incident, which occurred a week ago, resulted in a fractured skull for Chase Delorme-Rowan.

His mother, Cindy Rowan, expressed her desire to return to Canada with her son as soon as possible during an interview with Global News on Friday. She further revealed that Chase is still in the hospital and cannot be flown back to their home in Edmonton. Consequently, she has rented a room close to the hospital to stay by her son’s side.

Cindy had given permission to Chase, who is 18, and his two siblings to go to the resort bar on Tuesday as they were all of legal age. She believed it was a safe place for them. However, she was informed just after midnight that her son was seriously injured. Upon reaching the bar, she found Chase in a distressed state, surrounded by a frantic crowd.

Chase had to wait for surgery at the hospital while his insurance coverage was being confirmed. Doctors removed a grapefruit-sized blood clot from his skull and had to remove pieces of bone to accommodate the swelling in his brain. He slipped into a coma following the surgery and has suffered several seizures. Doctors have informed the family to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Global News has procured a complaint report submitted to a local prosecutor’s office in the Dominican Republic. The report mentions a suspect, but it remains unconfirmed whether he has been charged or whether he is also from Canada, as Cindy alleged.

Cindy and Chase’s grandmother are still in the Dominican Republic while the rest of the family returned to Canada on Thursday. She is in talks with representatives from the Canadian embassy who have offered to arrange a MedEvac Canada flight for Chase once he is fit to be moved.

Facing mounting expenses due to the unexpected extension of their stay, legal costs, and travel expenses to and from the hospital and courthouse, Cindy has started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the family’s expenses. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised over $27,000.