Jakelin Caal Maquin
Jakelin Caal Maquin was a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala who traveled to the New Mexico border with her father in December 2018. She was held in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, developed a high fever, and was taken to a hospital, where she died early on December 8, 2018. Her family said she was well fed and in good health when they arrived at the border. The El Paso County medical examiner attributed her death to complications of streptococcal sepsis, while the family's lawyer has called for an independent investigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The El Paso County medical examiner ruled her death natural from sepsis, while the family's lawyer has called for an independent investigation into the care she received in Border Patrol custody.
Reported by: El Paso County medical examiner Mario A. Rascon (medical examiner or coroner); the family's lawyer (family or their lawyers).