Bill to dead student's parents 'insulting'

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- California parents whose son died after being beaten in his college dormitory said they got a notice from a hospital saying he owed more than $29,000 for care.

Scott Hawkins, 23, a student at California State University in Sacramento, was allegedly beaten to death by Quran Jones, 19, who lived in the same campus suite, police said, the Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday.

Ten days after their son's Oct. 23 death, his parents, Gerald and Elizabeth Hawkins, received the "Dear Patient" form letter from the UC Davis Medical Center that also said Scott was an indigent.

"It was just devastating and insulting. It's just hard to grasp for words. My wife and I were near collapse," Gerald Hawkins said.

The bill and letter sent to the parents accurately reflected the services provided to Scott at the medical center, said Carol Gan, a spokeswoman.

Gan said the hospital regrets the mailing was sent to the family and said the Hawkins' insurance company would resolve the matter.

Jones was shot and wounded by police when he allegedly lunged at them with a knife when they responded to the dorm disturbance. He is expected to be charged with murder and attempted murder when he recovers.