Autopsy shows migrant child who died while in U.S. custody had infection Georgia House OK’s ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban

An autopsy has found that a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala died of a bacterial infection while detained by the U.S. Border Patrol, in a case that drew worldwide attention to the plight of migrant families detained at the southern U.S. border.

The El Paso County Medical Examiner’s office released a report Friday of its findings in the Dec. 8 death of Jakelin Caal Maquin, a day after she was apprehended by Border Patrol agents with her father.

The report says traces of streptococcus bacteria were found in Jakelin’s lungs, adrenal gland, liver and spleen, and that she faced a “rapidly progressive infection” that led to the failure of multiple organs.

The medical examiner did not determine which form of streptococcus bacteria Jakelin contracted.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said after her death that Jakelin was apprehended with her father, Nery Cuz, Dec. 6 in New Mexico. The father signed an English-language form stating Jakelin was in good health, but it is unclear whether he understood what the form said.

Jakelin and her father boarded a bus Dec. 7 from the Antelope Wells port of entry for the Lordsburg station. By then, Jakelin’s temperature had reached 105.7 degrees Fahrenheit. An emergency medical technician had to revive her. She was flown to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where she died the next day.

Bucking intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens, physicians groups and even Hollywood celebrities, Georgia lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a “heartbeat” abortion ban that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state.

The proposal now heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who backs it. If enacted, it would be among the strictest abortion bans in the U.S.

Currently, women in Georgia can seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy.

Lawmakers Florida and several other states are pursuing similar legislation.