Attorneys: Toddler Died after Getting Sick in ICE Custody; Child Dies Weeks after being Released from ICE Custody
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning, a mother and her attorney are blaming the death of her 18-month-old daughter on substandard care she received while in ICE custody. The toddler died six weeks after being released from an immigration facility in Texas. That's where her mother claims the little girl contracted a respiratory infection and wasn't given adequate treatment. Joining me now, CNN's Nick Valencia who has the latest for us. Nick?</s>NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Erica. Yazmin Juarez and her 18-month-old daughter crossing the United States illegally, asking for asylum from their native Guatemala, they were fleeing gang violence there hoping for a better life here in the United States. They were detained and transferred to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas which is in South Texas. And what the family and attorney alleged happened in that three weeks is absolutely awful. Here is a time line of what the attorney provided to us saying that in the course of these three weeks, a few days after arriving, Yazmin Juarez and her daughter Mariee detained by ICE. The little girl showed no health problems. But two weeks later on March 11th, Mariee had symptoms of a respiratory infection. She was given meds but it did not improve her condition. In fact, it seemed that her condition only deteriorated. She was vomiting, losing weight, developed a fever. By March 25th, she was clearly so gravely ill that the two were released. Within 24 hours, the mother, who is 20 years old, took her 18-month- old to the emergency room where for the next six weeks, little Mariee was hospitalized for respiratory failure. Her condition continued to worsen and on May 10th, she died at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Now, as you mentioned Erica, the family's attorney is effectively blaming ICE which runs this facility in part with others. Here is part of the statement of what they said to us saying, "A mother lost her little girl because ICE and those running the Dilley immigration prison failed them inexcusably." They are effectively, as I mentioned, saying that this child who arrived at the facility healthy died six weeks after leaving the facility because they were neglected. Erica?</s>HILL: And ICE were just talking about the ICE response there too in terms of what they said.</s>VALENCIA: Yes. ICE -- we did reach out to them. They offered us statement, not specifically addressing Mariee, not talking specifically about this case but saying, "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." We should also mention very quickly here, child welfare officials in the state of Texas have launched an investigation. You know, Erica, I spent a month on the border talking to a lot of these migrants. And the majority of them I spoke to, they think when they come to the United States at the very least that they will have a better life, things will be OK. This is absolutely a parent's worst nightmare. Erica?</s>HILL: Nick Valencia, appreciate the reporting. Thank you.</s>VALENCIA: You bet.</s>HILL: CNN has learned the gunman accused of killing two people at a Madden football video game tournament in Florida had previously received treatment for psychological and emotional issues. David Katz's mental health issues are detailed in his parents' divorce records. Two people, 27-year-old Taylor Robertson and 22-year-old Elijah Clayton were killed. Katz then turned the gun himself. In response to the shooting, EA Sports has cancelled the three remaining Madden tournaments so it can review safety protocols. The sex abuse scandal ripping apart the Catholic Church could implicate leaders at the highest ranks. The Pennsylvania attorney general now announcing he has evidence the Vatican protected predator priests who abused and raped children. How the Vatican is now responding. That's next.