Second child dies in US custody at border

International Desk: An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala has died in US government custody, immigration authorities say.

It is the second time this month an immigrant child has died while being detained after crossing the US-Mexico border.

The previous instance saw a seven-year-old girl, also from Guatemala, die hours after being taken into custody.

US officials said she had tried to cross the Mexico-US border illegally with her family.

The Guatemalan girl, who authorities there named as Jakelin Caal, died of liver failure, US officials say.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the cause of death was dehydration and shock.

The newspaper quoted border officials as saying she had not had food or water for several days.

Thousands of migrants have travelled from Central America to the US border.

The migrants say they are fleeing persecution, poverty and violence in their home countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Many of them say their goal is to settle in the US despite warnings by US officials that anyone found entering the country illegally will face arrest, prosecution and deportation.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 26, 2018/Nasim