WASHINGTON _ An 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died early Tuesday in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities.
It was the second death in less than three weeks of a child in detention.
The death, announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, comes against the backdrop of bitter battles over immigration policy and a partial government shutdown over President Donald Trump's demand for a $5 billion border wall.
The 8-year-old, who had been detained with his father, died shortly after midnight Tuesday at a New Mexico hospital, CBP said in a statement. The boy showed "signs of potential illness" Monday and was taken to a hospital in Alamogordo but released after being given medication for a cold and fever, the agency said.
Returned to the hospital Monday evening with nausea and vomiting, the boy died hours later, according to CBP, which said an investigation had begun into the circumstances.
The case appeared similar to that of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, who died Dec. 7 after being taken into the custody of the Border Patrol. Her body was returned to her native Guatemala for burial on Sunday.
