Florida Teen Dies After Shirt Catches on Playground Slide Screw
A grieving mother claims her 13-year-old son was strangled when his clothing snagged on a metal component at a Miami park.
A Florida teenager died after his shirt became caught on a screw in a playground slide, according to his mother. Olvin Daniel Cabrera Valladares, 13, was at Shenandoah Park in Miami on Sept. 25 when the fatal accident occurred, his mother, Estefanía Valladares, told Local 10.
Valladares said her son, who was supposed to be at school that day, went to the park instead. He was later discovered by another park visitor who found him caught on a screw in the slide. According to Valladares, the individual pulled on her son, and he fell free, revealing that his collar had tightened around his neck.
Olvin was transported to a hospital and placed on life support. Family members declared him brain dead on Oct. 1. His family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses.
"As a mother, it’s very hard to lose a son. I never thought I would lose my son," Valladares stated.
City officials have not confirmed the specifics of the incident but have stated that it is under active investigation. The day after Olvin was found, the park was temporarily closed for a "non-criminal investigation," but reopened the following day.
Valladares 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 said.