Photo: John Moore / Getty Images
A Honduran minor turned herself in on 20 November to the Border Patrol and after a few minutes she unwrapped her baby that she was carrying and noticed that she was not breathing. He tried to make him react, but it was too late.
The newborn baby was pronounced dead shortly after he entered the United States in the arms of his mother , who is a minor, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported Tuesday.
The events occurred on 20 November near the Rio Grande, when a group of five migrants , including the child’s mother, surrendered to Border Patrol agents near the McAllen-Hidalgo port of entry.
A border agent began processing the group around 7: 15 at night (local time).
“None of the migrants requested medical attention the moment they approached,” CBP indicated.
Upon completion of the administrative process, a second group of at least 10 foreigners turned themselves in, so the agent began to process them, while the first five waited for their transfer at CBP facilities .
Some 20 minutes later, the agent observed the Honduran minor unwrapping her baby from a blanket and trying to wake him up, for which the officer asked him if something was wrong. She replied that her baby had a cough.
The agent continued to process the second group when he observed that the Honduran mother was still checking the baby and was talking to another woman in her group who also wanted to check the newborn , so the officer returned to question the immigrant about the baby’s health and she replied that she was checking if the newborn was breathing.
The child, who had been born in Mexico had 15 days, had a normal temperature, but did not respond when touched.
“The baby’s fists were clenched and his nails were discolored,” detailed CBP.
The mother, of 15 years, reported that the baby had been coughing and had not eaten all day.
Upon realizing the emergency, the agent requested medical help but There were no nearby services because it was an unpopulated area and difficult to access, so it was decided to transfer the mother and baby to a store on the road where they met with the firefighters of the city of McAllen and the emergency services, who tried to resuscitate the infant.
The little boy was taken to Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas, where was pronounced dead around 8: 21 at night (local time) .
The Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility are reviewing the incident. The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security was also notified.
With information from EFE