Fundraising for Hunter parents stuck in US with newborn baby after Florida hurricane

Stuck in the US with an ‘unexpected’ baby born during the deadly hurricane, a Hunter couple are waiting for paperwork to allow them to come home as friends rally to help.

Birth certificate for a Hunter couple's baby who was born in the US during Hurricane Milton in Florida. Credit: Go Fund Me

A friend of a Hunter couple, who are stuck in the US while citizenship is being approved for their new baby girl, is hoping to raise enough funds to support the family until they are back on home soil.

Dayna Sly gave birth on October 10 at 5am, despite not even knowing she was pregnant, in the middle of the deadly hurricane Milton which recently hit Florida.

The natural disaster, which delivered devastating flooding and tornadoes, has left a death toll of more than 20 and a damage bill worth around $50 billion.

Ms Sly and her fiance Tony O’Keefe were in America to visit the Walt Disney World Resort when she unexpectedly gave birth to daughter Audrey.

It means the bub is now a US citizen, with the couple applying for her to obtain Australian citizenship which could take several months.

Dayna Sly gave birth to a baby girl on October 10, 2024 in Florida during Hurricane ‘Milton’, despite not knowing she was even pregnant. Picture: Facebook

On Tuesday, Ms Sly confirmed Australian Government officials were currently helping them to get Audrey’s paperwork sorted and were hoping it would get them home sooner.

Friend and colleague of Ms Sly, Jade Cutugno, has started fundraising to help the family out while they are stuck overseas.

“We are putting this GoFundMe together for Dayna, Tony and Audrey so that they have something to help them while they are stuck and also to help them set up for bub when they (finally) get to bring her home,” organiser Ms Cutugno said.

“Baby Audrey was completely unexpected and a result of a cryptic pregnancy.”

She went on to reveal the new mum had been diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) before deciding to go on a holiday with minor symptoms put down as “common symptoms of PCOS” by doctors.

“When Dayna gave birth in her hotel room, the hospital shortly confirmed she was in fact 41 weeks pregnant at the time, even after two negative pregnancy tests before leaving,” she added.

Tony O'Keefe and daughter 'Audrey' who was born amid the deadly hurricane 'Milton' in Florida, US, in October 2024. Partner Dayna Sly from the Hunter Region, NSW didn't even know she was pregnant. Credit: Go Fund Me

“We want to support her as much as we can so there is a little stress taken off of their shoulders at this already stressful time while they try to get back home to Australia.”

On an interview with Weekend Today, Ms Sly said she had “absolutely no idea” she was pregnant and had no symptoms.

“We’d saved up to (go) and then all of a sudden I’m in the middle of a hurricane at a hotel and I’ve given birth,” she told channel 9.

“I did have what I thought were periods, but I don’t think they were obviously now.”

The GoFundMe target has been set at $2500. At midday on Tuesday it had reached over $200 in donations.

A donation can me made HERE.