Girl who died in custody ‘was healthy’

A 7-year-old Guatemalan girl who died in US Border Patrol custody was healthy before she arrived, and her family is now calling for an “objective and thorough” investigation into her death, a representative for the family said.

The family’s lawyers disputed reports that the girl, Jakelin Caal, went several days without food and water before crossing the border, which contradicts statements by the Department of Homeland Security.

Ruben Garcia, executive director of Annunciation House — an El Pasobased nonprofit that aids migrants — said that the girl’s father, 29-year-old Nery Caal, said she was healthy and had no pre-existing conditions.

The girl’s death is now the subject of an internal investigation at the Department of Homeland Security. Congressional Democrats have also called for meetings with US Customs and Border Patrol officials.

Nery Caal, who was granted provisional release from CBP custody, has not spoken publicly about his daughter’s death on December 8 from dehydration, shock and liver failure.

Jakelin’s death was announced on Friday by US Customs and Border Patrol. CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told the Senate Judiciary Committee last Wednesday that its stations were not properly suited to handle the record number of asylum seekers. CBP and Department of Homeland Security officials deny that the agency is responsible for what happened to the girl.