Ashley Gray, 16, of Park County, near Denver, was sent to hospital in January for a mental health evaluation after she spoke with the counselor at her high school. 

'I was just having a bad day and I needed someone to talk to in the heat of the moment, so I went to our counselor,' Gray said to Q13Fox.

Before she knew it, Gray was leaving Platte Canyon High School and was whisked away in a squad car on a 45 minute drive to the Children's Hospital South Campus in Highlands Ranch.

The family received a bill for $4,233 as a result of the time she spent at the hospital.

It was the first time her parents were made aware of the costly charges.  

'I couldn't believe it,' said dad, Maverick. 'They took it upon themselves to send my daughter to the hospital without my acknowledgement or permission, and then I get a $4,000 bill!'