Boy, 13, Dies After Getting Caught in Playground Slide in Miami

A 13-year-old Florida boy died after his shirt got caught on a screw while he was using an enclosed slide at Shenandoah Park in Miami, according to his mother.

Olvin Cabrera Valladares was at the park on September 25 when he went down a large, swirly slide. His shirt collar reportedly became caught on a screw inside the tube, causing him to become trapped and choked. His mother, Estefanía Valladares, told Local 10 that her son was not rescued until later that day when a man visiting the park with his children found him.

"He told me he pulled on him, but he was caught on a screw," Estefanía said. "He pulled again, and my son fell out. His arm was inside of his shirt, and his collar was tight around his neck."

Another park visitor immediately began administering first aid until paramedics arrived and transported Olvin to a hospital. He was placed on life support, but was declared brain dead on October 1. His sister, Stephany Valladares, shared the events on a GoFundMe page established to help the family with funeral costs.

"He was my baby, my youngest, just 13 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him. He just wanted to play, and sadly, it was playing that took his life," Estefanía said.

The park was temporarily closed after Olvin was found, and the city of Miami described the incident as a "non-criminal investigation." The playground reopened the following day with the slide back in use, though it remains unclear if the slide was inspected or repaired beforehand.

Estefanía has urged other parents to exercise caution when visiting playgrounds. "Be careful taking your children to these parks. Look at the tragedy that happened to my son," she stated.

A spokesperson for the City of Miami told Local10 that they could not comment on the incident as it is under investigation. As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised over $11,000.