No US Medical Staff Present Prior To Guatemala Migrant Girl's Death - Congressmen

LORDSBURG (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th December, 2018) No medical staff was available on a bus transporting seven-year-old Guatemalan migrant Jakelin Caal Maquin on a 94-mile trip where she became seriously ill, US Congressman Joaquin Castro told reporters.

Maquin died on December 8, two days after she was apprehended together with her father by the authorities for illegally entering the United States in the US state of New Mexico, according to the Customs and Border protection (CBP).

"I also discovered that there were other disturbing facts," Castro said on Tuesday. "Like the fact that during the 94-mile bus ride where she started to present serious symptoms of medical and bodily failure, there was nobody onboard that could offer any kind of medical help to her and no medically trained personnel."

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus visited CBP facilities in New Mexico to investigate the circumstances surrounding Maquin's death.

Castro pointed out that the lawmakers found out the remote CBP facility at the Antelope Wells Port of Entry did not have any running water because it had been shut down due to contamination.

The lawmakers also highlighted that Maquin's body was placed on a hard table when she arrived to the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station, which indicates lack of medical equipment there.

US Congressman Raul Ruiz, who is a licensed physician, said there are systemic obstacles and failures to provide care for children when they are in US custody.

Ruiz explained he found out that there was no suitable pediatric equipment for IV fluids, resuscitation or monitoring at the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station.

Ruiz added that there should be an independent investigation with further healthcare experts to identify systemic issues concerning the CBP.

Last Friday, CBP said its Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General are investigating Maquin's death.

Lawyers representing the Maquin family said in a statement on Saturday that the girl was in good condition when she crossed the US border.

The girl's father, Nery Caal, did not speak to the press on Saturday during a press briefing at the Annunciation House in El Paso at the request of his legal counsel. CBP granted the father provisional release to the non-profit immigration support group, which is providing him shelter.

CBP officials said the agency did everything in its power to provide medical care to Maquin immediately after being notified of her condition. CBP also said Maquin had no evidence of health issues when they conducted an initial screening after her apprehension. On Friday, the White House rejected responsibility for Maquin's death and said it was a senseless and needless death that is 100 percent preventable.