A second Guatemalan child, aged 8, has died in immigration custody on Christmas Day, says US
- The boy died on Christmas Day in New Mexico after showing signs of ‘potential illness’, according to US Customs and Border Protection
US Customs and Border protection announced Tuesday it would conduct 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.
The boy, who was with his apprehended father, had been transferred to a New Mexico medical centre 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.
The child was later transferred back to the hospital after showing signs of nausea and vomiting, and died on Monday just before midnight.
CBP said it had not established the cause of death but would “ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances”.