Migrant teen from Honduras dies in US government custody in Florida

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - The officials from Health and Human Services (HHS) reported on Friday that a migrant teenager from Honduras who arrived in the US has died while in government custody in the state of Florida.

This is believed to be the first such death in years.

"The US Department of Health and Human Services is deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our heart goes out to the family, with whom we are in touch," a statement by HSS said.

"As is standard practice for any situation involving the death of an unaccompanied child or a serious health outcome, HSS' Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Division of Health for Unaccompanied Children (DHUC) is reviewing all clinical details of this case, including all inpatient health care records," the statement read.

A medical investigation about the incident is underway, HHS said, but no further information was shared about it, citing privacy and safety reasons.

Enrique Reina, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Honduras, took to Twitter to express regret and offer condolences for the death of 17-year-old Angel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza in a Florida shelter.

The government of Honduras is in contact with the family and has requested a detailed investigation by the ORR and HHS to clarify the case. If there is any responsibility, the law will be applied fully, Reina added.

The ORR, which is part of the HHS, is tasked with providing care to migrant children who arrive at the US-Mexico border without legal guardians.

According to federal law, border officials are required to transfer unaccompanied minors to ORR within 72 hours.