Migrant child in U.S. custody died from influenza, investigators say

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (NBCNC) – New Mexico officials say an 8-year-old boy from Guatemala who died this week while in U.S. government custody had the flu.

According to the medical investigator, Felipe Gomez Alonzo tested positive for influenza B.

The 8-year-old was detained with his father on December 18^th and died just before midnight on Christmas Eve.

Alonzo was the second child in three weeks to die while being detained near the U.S.-Mexico border.

On December 8th, seven-year-old Jakelin Caal passed away in a hospital two days after she was taken to an immigration detention center.