Lawyers Say Migrant Girl Was In Good Condition Before Dying In US Immigration Custody

EL PASO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th December, 2018) Lawyers representing the family of the 7-year-old Guatemalan girl Jakelin Caal Maquin said in a statement that she was in good condition prior to her apprehension and death in US immigration custody.

On December 6, Jakelin was apprehended together with her father for illegal entry along with a group of 163 undocumented immigrants in southern New Mexico, according to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She died two days later.

"Jakelin's father took care of Jakelin - made sure she was fed and had sufficient water. She and her father sought asylum from border patrol as soon as they crossed the border. She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border," the lawyers said on Saturday.

The lawyers added that contrary to the reports that Jakelin had "not eaten or had any water for several days," she had not been crossing the desert for days.

The CBP has said that officials conducted an initial screening of Jakelin upon her apprehension and found no evidence of health issues. The agency added that her father claimed she was in good health.

However, Jakelin began to have health issues while in custody, according to the CBP. The girl had been diagnosed with brain swelling and liver failure before she died, the agency said.

CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said in statement on Friday that border agents did everything in their power to provide medical care to Jakelin immediately after her father notified agents of her distress while at a remote operating base 94 miles from the nearest Border Patrol station.

The family is represented by the Law Offices of Enrique Moreno and the Law Office of Lynn Coyle, PLLC.

The Annunciation House, a non-profit immigration support group, is currently providing the father, Nery Gilberto Caal Cuz, with the shelter and legal counsel.

Annunciation House Executive Director Ruben Garcia said the official cause of death should be released in two weeks according to the Medical Examiner's office. Garcia said Jakelin's father wanted to express gratitude to all the first responders in the states of Texas and New Mexico for trying to save his daughter's life.