Virginia Kruta | Associate Editor
A seven-year-old migrant girl died just hours after being taken into the custody of U.S. Border Patrol, suffering from dehydration and exhaustion as a result of the strenuous journey — but a Washington Post headline made it appear as though Border Patrol bore responsibility for her death.
7-year-old migrant girl taken into Border Patrol custody dies of dehydration, exhaustion https://t.co/Vb599XHO5I
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 14, 2018
Time magazines headline was equally misleading.
A 7-year-old immigrant girl died after she was detained by border patrol https://t.co/F5uFLjompN
— TIME (@TIME) December 14, 2018
The Washington Posts article led with concerns that the childs death, which occurred a week prior to publication, would lead to scrutiny of conditions at detention centers for families crossing the border into the United States. It read:
The childs death is likely to intensify scrutiny of detention conditions at Border Patrol stations and CBP facilities that are increasingly overwhelmed by large numbers of families seeking asylum in the United States.
But beginning in the fourth paragraph, the Washington Posts own report refutes the notion that Border Patrol bears responsibility for the girls death.
Noting that she began to suffer from seizures just over eight hours after being taken into custody and that her temperature quickly spiked to 105.7 degrees, WaPo reported that emergency responders were called right away and the girl was revived and taken to a hospital. She died within 24 hours of being transported, and Border Patrol records show that she had not been given food or water for several days prior.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen addressed the situation on “Fox & Friends” Friday, pointing out the dangers of the journey and the fact that Border Patrol had done everything they could to provide medical care.
DHS Secretary Nielsen just addressed this in an intv w/ Fox calling it “heart wrenching,” and said the family was 90 miles away from where they could be process when apprehended by US Border Patrol. She added they “gave immediate care. Well continue to look into the situation.” https://t.co/7JG3JR0Maw
— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) December 14, 2018
Critics of President Donald Trump quickly responded to the story, blaming Border Patrol and the Trump administration for the girls tragic death. (RELATED: Trumps Border Policy Is Meant To Traumatize Children, Says Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley)
A migrant girl from Guatemala died in @CBP custody last week. She had been detained for about eight hours when she began having seizures. Revived from a cardiac arrest, then died about 24 hours later. Elections have consequences. https://t.co/OTjn7PZsBJ
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) December 14, 2018
She didnt die *on the journey* to America, @SecNielsen.
She died *in* America.
She died in El Paso, Texas, on the watch of the US Border Patrol, which reports to you.https://t.co/nqOO4oSc6W
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) December 14, 2018
A 7 year old girl in Border Patrol custody died of dehydration and shock.
Feel safer? https://t.co/X03BF91skM
— David Leopold (@DavidLeopold) December 14, 2018
My God.
Shame on our country and shame on Donald Trump.
A 7 year old girl was taken into custody by US Border Patrol and died of “dehydration and shock.”
These arent thugs & criminals. They are people desperate for safe harbor.
This is a grave sin.https://t.co/g52Ypzn0e8
— Shaun King (@shaunking) December 14, 2018
Evil. I wonder how many 7-year-olds from Europe, Russia, UK…have died while in Border Patrol custody. https://t.co/4x0A6nIQuE
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) December 14, 2018
But others noted the misleading nature of the Washington Posts headline, calling the outlet to account for it.
The poor little girl died because her parents took her on a perilous, dangerous journey. She was dehydrated and in shock when the Border Patrol found her. Stop misrepresenting the facts! The border patrol is not at fault. https://t.co/D4rTWSRpCC
— Alana Stewart (@AlanaKStewart) December 14, 2018
She died because of the trek, not because of border patrol. But I get thats not the point you want people to take from this headline. https://t.co/VpNDLgUklZ
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) December 14, 2018
This headline is misleading and makes people assume the worst about Border Patrol.
She went DAYS without food or water on the journey with 163 other people who were crossing illegally. BP tried to save her but she died 8 hours after she was in custody.
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) December 14, 2018
The poor little girl died because her parents took her on a perilous, dangerous journey. She was dehydrated and in shock when the Border Patrol found her. Stop misrepresenting the facts! The border patrol is not at fault. https://t.co/D4rTWSRpCC
— Alana Stewart (@AlanaKStewart) December 14, 2018
The girl has since been identified as Jackeline Caal.
BREAKING: Official from Guatemalan foreign ministry identifies 7-year-old girl who died in Border Patrol custody as Jackeline Caal
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 14, 2018
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