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Seven-year-old Ivory Smith was killed Venezuelan immigrant Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin was involved in a late-night drunken driving accident in north Houston just two and a half months after ICE got him, court documents revealed.
Fox 26 Houston reported that court records revealed that Chacin had previously been placed in another Attention ICE earlier this year after being arrested for assaulting a family member in June.
The felony assault charge against him was eventually downgraded to a misdemeanor, and after pleading guilty, Chacin was sentenced to 113 days in jail, which he had already served, and was released that same day The ICE detainer against him was also lifted that same day for an unknown reason.
THE ILLEGAL MIGRANT CONTINUES TO COMMIT 22 CRIMES IN 6 MONTHS: “IT WILL GET WORSE”, SAYS THE EXPERT
Joel Gonzalez Chacin, 41, the alleged drunken driver accused of causing the crash that killed her, appeared in court Tuesday morning. (Harris County Constable, Precinct 4)
Fox News Digital reached out to ICE to find out why the arrest was made against Chacin and has not yet heard back.
Authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital that the 41-year-old migrant was intoxicated when he Christina Smith and her daughter Ivory, the T-boned at 2:45 a.m. Police said Chacin took pictures of the crash scene “instead of helping” and then left. The two victims they were a few minutes from home.
Smith was seriously injured in the crash, but has since been released from hospital. Chacin was arrested by intoxication manslaughter and a new ICE detainer has been put on.
Ivory was in second grade. According to a statement released by the family, the mother continues to “endure immense physical and emotional pain” from the accident.
MEMBER OF THE PANDA TREN D’ARAGUA, ILLEGAL VENEZUELAN MIGRANT, ARRESTED IN HOUSTON
Ivory Smith, 7, was killed and her mother was seriously injured when authorities say a man allegedly driving drunk crashed into her car. (GoFundMe)
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“No parent should have to suffer the unbearable loss of a child, especially in circumstances that could and should have been avoided,” the family said, adding that the incident is a “stark reminder that we need stronger accountability and justice to prevent further suffering for families like ours.”
“Even more troubling is the fact that this individual was released after being arrested earlier this year, only to be found again after causing irreparable harm,” the family continued. “Why do we have detentions if they fail to keep dangerous people off our streets? . . . How can a system allow this leniency, where a person with this record has the opportunity to walk free and reoffend?”
Speaking of Ivory, the family said: “Her life, full of innocence and joy, was taken far too soon due to the reckless actions of a person who chose to drive under the influence.”
“We will continue to demand answers and advocate for change so that no other family has to endure the pain, loss and injustice we are experiencing,” they said. “Ivory’s light and legacy deserve better, and her memory will guide us as we work toward a safer future for all.”
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
