Dead Guatemalan girl dreamed of sending money home to poor family


Domingo Caal, 61, grandfather of Jakelin, a 7-year-old girl who died in U.S. custody, holds his mobile phone with a picture of his granddaughter as he stands outside her house in Raxruha, Guatemala December 15, 2018. REUTERS/Josue Decavele

SAN ANTONIO DE CORTEZ, Guatemala (Reuters) - The 7-year-old Guatemalan migrant girl who died after being detained by U.S. border agents this month was inseparable from her father and had looked forward to being able to send money home to support her impoverished family, relatives said on Saturday.

Nery Caal, 29, and his daughter Jakelin were in a group of more than 160 migrants who handed themselves in to U.S. border agents in New Mexico on Dec. 6. Jakelin developed a high fever while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and died two days later at a hospital in El Paso, Texas.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Peru lawmakers gather support to call for debate to oust president Jeri
US, Taiwan finalise deal to cut tariffs, boost purchases of US goods
Ukraine's Zelenskiy: We have backed US peace proposals to get a deal done
China's Sun Long wins silver in men's 1,000m short track speed skating at Milan-Cortina (updated)
Australia's conservative opposition picks former energy minister Taylor as new leader
China opens women's curling campaign with victory at Milan-Cortina Games
North Korea says South Korea should take steps to prevent violation of its sovereignty
U.S. stocks close lower
Medal table at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 12
EU moves to speed up single market, eyes smaller-group cooperation

Others Also Read