Who Is To Blame?
Who’s To Blame?
There have been many tragedies that have befallen the migrants participating in the “caravans” that have traipsed across Mexico. There have been robberies, violence, rape, communicable diseases, death and, even murder (a migrant by the name of Henry Diaz, was fatally shot in the head by Mexican police on October 28 supposedly with a “rubber bullet”). Of all the tragedies, the most heartbreaking may be the death of little Jakelin Maquin. Jakelin was a pretty seven year old Guatemalan girl that traveled with her father in the caravan. She was pronounced dead on December 8th while in the custody of American authorities. News feed across all media literally exploded with rage and indignation, condemning our boarder patrol, implying that they callously disregarded Jakelin’s medical needs and woefully neglected her care. The implications were that the girl died of dehydration and her death could have been prevented by simply giving her water. And, as sure as the sun rises in the east, they have blamed the policies of Donald J. Trump for the young girl’s death. After hearing this narrative on every media source, I was shocked when I investigated the matter further and found that the real story was NOT what was claimed. NOT at all….
To research this I went to a number of online sources. The following chronology was provided by WTOP, a Washington DC radio station, affiliate of NBC News. The reader may view the original at:
Dec 6, 9:15 PM
Jakelin and her father, Nery Gilberto, arrived with 160 other migrants to a remote border crossing at Antelope Wells, New Mexico. The were interviewed by agents to determine if they needed medical care. Gilberto indicated, and signed a form corroborating, that they were healthy.
Dec 6, 10:00 PM
A bus left Lordsburg, New Mexico, to pick up the migrants.
Dec 7, 12:18 AM
Transportation is prioritized for UNACCOMPANIED children to Lourdburg. Jakelin is not included because she is with her Dad and is said to be healthy.
Dec 7, 5:00 AM
After transporting the unaccompanied children to Lordsburg the bus returned to Antelope Wells and Jakelin and father were brought on board. By this time Jakelin had started vomiting, and her father notified the authorities of such. The border patrol radioed for EMT support at Lordsburg, as they had no medical expertise at Antelope Wells. The bus then traveled as fast as was deemed safe and arrived at Lordsburg just before 6:30.
Dec 7, 6:30 AM
Jakelin was met in Lordsburg by EMT personell who found that Jakelin’s condition had deteriorated en route. She had a fever of 105 and was in cardiac arrest on arrival. She was resuscitated by the EMTs. Since the nearest critical care facility was 4 hours away by car, a HELICOPTER was called.
Dec 7, 7:30 AM
The helicopter arrived with additional EMT personel. She was loaded on and the helicopter which left at 7:48 AM.
Dec 7, 8:51 AM
Jakelin arrived by helicopter at the Providence Children’s Hospital In El Paso, Texas. She received immediate treatment and was taken to the pediatric ICU. Breathing was by machine. Her father was transported to the children’s hospital by border patrol agents.
Dec 7, 11:00 AM
She again went into cardiac arrest and again was revived. A CT scan of the brain showed severe swelling.
Dec 8, 12:35 AM
Jakelin is pronounced dead with her father by her side. Diagnosis: septic shock.
Some take away points:
1) Jakelin did NOT die of dehydration as early media reports suggested.
2) She received top level transportation and care as soon as it was apparent that she needed them.
3) She died of sepsis, a bacterial infection of the blood. My guess is that it was likely Nisseria Menningitis, as few other organisms are fatal so quickly. Menningitis is well known to be spread in crowds of people who are in close proximity (such a college dorms and military boot camp) as she was in the caravan. Autopsy findings will, of course, provide a definitive assessment.
A trajedy for sure. But who’s to blame?
First, the caravan itself. The close proximity of thousands of people for such an arduous journey placed Jakelin and thousands of other children at extreme risk.
Second, Jakelin’s father. Although one can certainly understand his desire to flee the poverty and violence of Guatemala, bringing a vulnerable child on such a journey placed her at extreme risk.
Third, activist organizations that fomented and supported the caravan. They used the migrants for political purposes and put these people’s lives at extreme risk.
Fourth, the United State’s porous border and ambiguous immigration policy encourages the migrants placing them at extreme risk.
Fifth, the Democratic Party, for REFUSING to fund the wall. The whole caravan phenomena is a humanitarian disaster waiting to happen. Please see my essay, “The Compassionate Wall” from April 4, 2018, for further discussion and analysis of this under reported fact.
In conclusion, Jakelin Maquin’s death is part of a humanitarian catastrophe. It SHOULD have been prevented by a border wall together with SANE immigration policy.
We can certainly understand Jakelin’s father trying to get a better life for himself and his daughter. We can NOT understand nor forgive activist groups who have encouraged the migrants, nor the Democratic Party for doing the same. Shame on them. Rest in peace Little Jacklin.