Second migrant child dies in US custody

By James Blears

The boy, who's not being named, was taken to hospital in New Mexico after falling ill. He was treated and released, but later his condition deteriorated, he was re-admitted but died on Christmas day.

This follows the death several days ago of a seven year old Guatemalan girl, who collapsed from dehydration and shock.

An investigation has been launched into these two tragedies amidst this humanitarian exodus. 

Hundreds of children many of whom are  very young, are accompanying their parents, desperate to escape the ravages of poverty and the threat of organized crime.

Now a fourth Central American Caravan has started its journey from Honduras. But representatives say it`s planned destination is Chiapas in Southern Mexico and NOT the United States.

Mexico and the United States are formulating  a Central American Migrant Development Plan to offer work visas  in Mexico and further south, trying to dissuade droves of undocumented people from trying to enter the United States.

A vital part of this MUST be to insure the well being of children and young people who in many cases have endured the extreme trauma of thousands of kilometers of travel and desperate hardship,  at a very young formative age.

Added by Vatican News

In response to this second death in December of a child in their custody, US Customs and Border Protection has now ordered that medical check-ups be conducted for every child under their protection.