Earlier this month, child welfare officials in Texas launched an investigation into the allegation that a child died after leaving the residential center. That investigation remains open and there is no estimated date for its completion, said Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
In response to a CNN query, ICE said in a statement: “ICE is committed to ensuring the welfare of all those in the agency’s custody, including providing access to necessary and appropriate medical care. Comprehensive medical care is provided to all individuals in ICE custody.”
Its statement didn’t specifically address Mariee, but listed the medical staffing provided to people in its custody and how the agency spends more than $250 million annually on their health care.
Juarez’s lawyers said Mariee was healthy, when she first arrived at the Dilley facility, but that her condition deteriorated.
Juarez sought medical treatment for her daughter on March 11 — six days after they arrived at the Dilley facility — according to her attorneys. The toddler was prescribed Tylenol after a diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infection.
But her lawyers say Mariee’s symptoms became worse, losing weight, vomiting as well as developing fever and diarrhea. During their nearly three weeks at the facility, Juarez sought medical attention for Mariee at least five times, according to her attorneys. During her time there, Mariee received various other diagnoses that included acute bronchiolitis and an ear infection.
“After it became clear that Mariee was gravely ill, ICE simply discharged mother and daughter. Yazmin immediately sought medical care for her baby, but it was too late. Mariee died following six agonizing weeks in the hospital after leaving Dilley,” according to her lawyers.
They allege that the conditions at Dilley were “unsafe and unsanitary conditions” and that the medical care was “deficient in both availability and quality.”
Article Appeared @https://ktla.com/2018/08/28/law-firm-alleges-ice-provided-substandard-care-for-toddler-who-died-weeks-after-release-from-texas-facility/