The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a migrant child in U.S. custody.
The department released a statement on Friday regarding the death of the child, but did not reveal where the child died.
“The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our heart goes out to the family, with whom we are in touch,” it said.
HHS CHIEF ‘UNFAMILIAR’ WITH REPORTS THAT AGENCY CAN’T CONTACT 85,000 UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT KIDS
The message continued, “As is standard practice for any situation involving the death of an unaccompanied child or a serious health outcome, HHS’ 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. A medical examiner investigation is underway.”
The HHS is withholding information on the deceased migrant youth, citing safety concerns.
“Due to privacy and safety reasons, ORR cannot share further information on individual cases of children who have been in our care,” the department said.
It added, “While in ORR care, children have access to health care, legal services, translation services, and mental and behavioral health counselors and are able to connect with family through a phone call in a private area at a minimum of twice a week.”
Before taking office, President Biden was sharply critical of the U.S. government’s track record of migrant deaths under their supervision.
“Over the last year, six children have tragically died in U.S. custody at the border. It’s unacceptable,” Biden said in 2019. “It’s not who we are. And silence is complicity. It’s on all of us to stand up and speak out. America is a nation of immigrants. We must guarantee everyone’s treated with dignity.”
Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.
The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a migrant child in U.S. custody.
The department released a statement on Friday regarding the death of the child, but did not reveal where the child died.
“The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our heart goes out to the family, with whom we are in touch,” it said.
HHS CHIEF ‘UNFAMILIAR’ WITH REPORTS THAT AGENCY CAN’T CONTACT 85,000 UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT KIDS
The message continued, “As is standard practice for any situation involving the death of an unaccompanied child or a serious health outcome, HHS’ 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. A medical examiner investigation is underway.”
The HHS is withholding information on the deceased migrant youth, citing safety concerns.
“Due to privacy and safety reasons, ORR cannot share further information on individual cases of children who have been in our care,” the department said.
It added, “While in ORR care, children have access to health care, legal services, translation services, and mental and behavioral health counselors and are able to connect with family through a phone call in a private area at a minimum of twice a week.”
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Before taking office, President Biden was sharply critical of the U.S. government’s track record of migrant deaths under their supervision.
“Over the last year, six children have tragically died in U.S. custody at the border. It’s unacceptable,” Biden said in 2019. “It’s not who we are. And silence is complicity. It’s on all of us to stand up and speak out. America is a nation of immigrants. We must guarantee everyone’s treated with dignity.”
Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.
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