Castro, Cummings, Thompson, Nadler Ask DHS OIG to Investigate Toddler Death Shortly After Release From a Texas Detention Center

The following press release was published by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Dec. 7, 2018. It is reproduced in full below.

Dear Acting Inspector General Kelly:

We respectfully request that your office conduct a review into the medical care provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Service Corps to Mariee Juarez, an 18-month old toddler that tragically died soon after being released from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The death of a child is a serious occurrence and it is critical that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General factually determine if DHS was medically negligent and whether this negligence led to Mariee’s death.

While in DHS custody, Mariee first became ill with a cold and developed a high fever. After a prolonged illness and infection, Mariee passed away on May 10th from pneumonitis shortly after her release from DHS care. Mariee’s premature death has led the state of Texas to open two investigations. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission are examining whether abuse or neglect played a factor in Mariee’s death.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in September requesting that she direct your office to open an investigation into Mariee’s treatment in custody and whether, overall, ICE can improve the level of care provided to all detainees.

Secretary Nielsen declined to respond to the letter. Instead, ICE Deputy Director Ronald Vitiello replied and directed the members of Congress to reach out to your office directly.

We believe that an investigation from your office will play a critical and complimentary role in this process and help Mariee’s family get the answers they deserve. It will also help prevent future incidents and elevate the standard of care provided to all individuals in government custody.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your affirmative response.

Sincerely,

Joaquin Castro

Chairman Elect

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Elijah E. Cummings

Ranking Member

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Bennie G. Thompson

Ranking Member

House Committee on Homeland Security

Jerrold Nadler