Dad of Deceased 7-Year-Old Smashes Media Narrative, Backs Up Border Patrol
For some, “fake news” has struck, yet again. In the rush to push a narrative that the Border Patrol is bad and illegal aliens are victims, the establishment media, lawmakers, and leftist celebrities have been blaming the Border Patrol for the death of a seven-year-old.
Now, the child’s father has spoken up and he has made it very clear. Her death was not the fault of the Border Patrol.
And not only did he speak in favor of the Border Patrol, but he did so to Guatemalan Consul Tekandi Paniagua. Paniagua then relayed the father’s report about the Border Patrol to CNN.
According to Paniagua, Nery Gilberto Caal said that his daughter, Jakelin Caal Maquin, was given tremendous help from Border Patrol agents. He said they “did everything they possibly could to help his daughter.”
But that wasn’t all. Caal also had high praise for the first responders who assisted in trying to save the girl. A statement from his lawyers to the media said that he was “grateful for the many first responders that tried to save young Jakelin’s life in New Mexico and Texas.”
According to CNN, while the medical examiner has not said why the girl died, we know that she experienced cardiac arrest, brain swelling, was breathing with assistance from machines, and had liver failure. After being detained, the father reported she’d been vomiting and later stopped breathing.
When Border Patrol agents provided medical assistance, they discovered the girl had a fever of almost 106 degrees. They revived the girl twice. EMTs also took action to save the girl.
– When BP was informed child had fallen ill, they say they called EMS to have an ambulance ready when bus arrived at the station
– DHS says father didn’t inform them child had stopped breathing until they got to the station
— Amber Athey (@amber_athey) December 15, 2018
By the father’s own admission, the girl’s death was not because of Border Patrol mistreatment. Its agents were nothing but helpful.
Despite this, Caal’s lawyers are pushing for an investigation. However, in the CNN report, there is no mention of the investigation being over negligence on the part of Border Patrol. Their issue is that Caal was asked to sign a form, written in English, about the girl’s health.
The form was presented with others when the pair were detained. When presented, the girl showed no signs of ill health.
NEW:
– Father of 7-year-old migrant who died signed form saying daughter was not ill during initial screening
– DHS says the family was offered food and water before being transported to nearest Border Patrol station https://t.co/nTmR0L4sBi
— Amber Athey (@amber_athey) December 15, 2018
The lawyers are also disputing claims that the father did not provide the girl with adequate food and water during their journey from Guatemala. “Jakelin’s father took care of Jakelin — made sure she was fed and had sufficient water. She had not suffered from a lack of water or food prior to approaching the border.”
However, The Daily Caller wrote that in a statement from the DHS, it was revealed that the father told Border Patrol agents the opposite. He claimed the girl had not had food or water for days.
Jakelin’s body has been embalmed and sent home for her funeral. Her father will not be able to attend, although, reported CNN, his lawyers did not specify what his current immigration status is or where he is in the process.
Facts don’t care about feelings or agendas. The narrative being pushed about a big, bad, murderous Border Patrol didn’t come from the Border Patrol.
Clearly, that narrative didn’t come from the girl’s father, either. So where did it come from?
What we know right now is that when detained, the child showed no signs of illness. Later, when she did, Border Patrol agents, by the father’s own report, did everything they could to help her. They even revived her twice.
And further, the man’s lawyers, according to CNN’s own report, aren’t blaming the Border Patrol for her death, either. So blame pointed at Border Patrol is not based in fact or statements from those directly involved in the case.
It is all about pushing a false narrative, and apparently at any cost. Even if it means exploiting the tragic death of a child.
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