“5-Year-Old Boy Dies at Migrant Shelter in Chicago: Authorities Investigating Cause of Death”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Authorities Launch Investigation into Death of 5-Year-Old Boy at Chicago Migrant Shelter

Authorities in Chicago are investigating the tragic death of a 5-year-old boy who was staying at one of the city’s largest migrant shelters for new arrivals from the U.S. southern border. The boy, identified as Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero, was reported to be “not feeling well” while at the shelter on South Halsted Street, according to a statement from the Chicago police. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he tragically passed away on Sunday. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and authorities do not suspect foul play.

Details surrounding Martinez’s arrival in the United States, his country of origin, and how he ended up in Chicago remain unknown. However, city records indicate that he and his family were among the 13,000 migrants residing in city shelters. Concerns have been raised by volunteers about the conditions in these shelters, including overcrowding, outbreaks of infectious diseases, a lack of basic medications, and inadequate medical care. Some volunteers claim that they were denied entry to the shelters to monitor conditions.

Annie Gomberg, a lead volunteer, recounted an incident in October where another family from the same shelter contacted her about their son having a high fever. The shelter’s staff allegedly advised against calling an ambulance due to the cost. Gomberg and others arranged for an ambulance, and the 3-year-old boy recovered from a pulmonary infection. She called upon the city to ensure that families have access to medical care and to address the issue of overcrowding.

The shelter on South Halsted Street is managed by Favorite Healthcare Staffing, a contractor based in Kansas. The company did not respond to requests for comment. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed condolences to Martinez’s family and assured that the city is doing “everything in our power” to care for the migrants arriving from the southern border. He criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for sending thousands of migrants to Chicago, stating that they arrive sick and in dire conditions.

Texas has transported over 25,000 migrants to Chicago since August 2022, according to city records. Abbott’s spokesperson, Andrew Mahaleris, responded by saying that the migrants voluntarily board the buses, which are stocked with food and water. Mahaleris suggested that Mayor Johnson should hold the Biden administration accountable for securing the border.

Evelyn Figueroa, a physician and director of the Pilsen Food Pantry in Chicago, revealed that migrants from the South Halsted Street shelter have been seeking assistance at her food pantry. They arrive in flip-flops, seeking food, blankets, and medications. Figueroa described the shelter as a “ripe breeding ground for infectious disease” and stated that the migrants are unable to obtain basic supplies.

The increasing number of migrant children seeking refuge at the U.S. southern border has raised concerns about the capacity of federal and state governments to care for them. Under the Biden administration, these numbers have reached record highs. Tragically, this is not the first death of a migrant child in transit to Chicago. In August, a 3-year-old girl from Venezuela died after being allowed to board a bus despite having a low-grade fever. In May, an 8-year-old girl passed away after spending several days in a Border Patrol medical isolation unit without being seen by a doctor.

As authorities investigate the death of Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero, questions remain about the conditions and care provided at migrant shelters and the responsibility of both local and federal authorities to ensure the well-being of these vulnerable individuals..