Second child fatality in detention

US to examine migrant children in custody

US Customs and Border Protection announced medical checks on all children in its custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant -- the second child fatality in American detention this month.

Guatemala called for an investigation into the boy's death and some US lawmakers angrily denounced the Trump administration's immigration policy.

The boy, identified by Texas congressman Joaquin Castro as Felipe Alonzo Gomez, had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said Tuesday.

Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was released at midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Alonzo, who was with his apprehended father, was later transferred back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died on Monday, just before midnight.

The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would "ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances".

Late Tuesday, commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan announced the agency was "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody," and "reviewing its policies with particular focus upon care and custody of children under 10. "This is a tragic loss. On behalf of US Customs and Border Protection, our deepest sympathies go out to the family,” he added.

McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.

“CBP is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control on the numbers of children in custody as well,” he said.

Guatemala called on US authorities to conduct a “clear” investigation of the death, adding that “medical reports have been requested... to clarify the cause of death of the child”.

The news of the boy’s death triggered outrage among lawmakers.

“The Administration’s policy of turning people away from legal ports of entry ... is putting families and children in great danger,” Castro, chairman elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement.

 

Second child fatality in detention

US to examine migrant children in custody

US Customs and Border Protection announced medical checks on all children in its custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant -- the second child fatality in American detention this month. Guatemala called for an investigation into the boys death and some US lawmakers angrily denounced the Trump administrations immigration policy. The boy, identified by Texas congressman Joaquin Castro as Felipe Alonzo Gomez, had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said Tuesday. Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was released at midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin. Alonzo, who was with his apprehended father, was later transferred back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died on Monday, just before midnight. The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances. Late Tuesday, commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan announced the agency was conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody, and reviewing its policies with particular focus upon care and custody of children under 10. This is a tragic loss. On behalf of US Customs and Border Protection, our deepest sympathies go out to the family, he added. McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. CBP is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control on the numbers of children in custody as well, he said. Guatemala called on US authorities to conduct a clear investigation of the death, adding that medical reports have been requested... to clarify the cause of death of the child. The news of the boys death triggered outrage among lawmakers. The Administrations policy of turning people away from legal ports of entry ... is putting families and children in great danger, Castro, chairman elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement.