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Austin woman says she's stuck in China during one of the country's most viral outbreaks in history

Ashley Jenkins said her passport was stolen and she's tried everything to go back to the U.S.

AUSTIN, Texas — Ashley Jenkins is running out of options on how to get home to Texas. She's a teacher in China and she's been stuck in Nanjing since last month.

"Just think about having your passport stolen, your phone stolen, being in China during the coronavirus. You literally are not able to get help and I have not been able to get help," said Jenkins. "I'm an American and I’m stuck in China. I don't know, it’s been 17 days now, and I don't know what to do at this point. I put a video on Facebook to try and get help because I don't know what to do anymore."

Jenkins moved out of the U.S. three years ago but has been trying to make it back to Austin or East Texas where her grandparents live.

The coronavirus outbreak has gotten more than 45,000 people sick in China and it's killed more than 1,100 people. Jenkins said she can't leave her apartment without wearing a mask.

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"I get checked on my hands for fever, which makes no sense. I get checked on my head and I don't know what to do anymore," said Jenkins. 

KVUE reached out to Accent Travel and their corporate manager said that if you lose your passport while abroad, your first point of contact would be the U.S. Embassy. 

Sansom said before you travel out of the country, make a copy of your passport and give it to a family member.

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Jenkins said she filed a police report with the police in Nanjing when her passport and phone were stolen, but she's having trouble getting any help from the U.S. Embassy in China because of the language barrier. 

She hopes someone has answers for her soon.

"I'm not a stupid person, I have done everything possible," said Jenkins. "I have tried so hard."

The coronavirus is now called "COVID-19" and, in the U.S., 13 people have been infected. There are no confirmed Texas cases right now.

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