Seven-year-old Ivory Smith was killed by Venezuelan immigrant Joel Enrique Gonzalez Chacin in a late-night drunk driving accident north of Houston, just two and a half months after ICE lifted its hold on him. This was revealed in court documents.
Fox 26 Houston reported that court records reveal Chacin was in separate ICE custody earlier this year after being arrested in June on charges of assaulting a family member.
The felonious assault charge against him was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor, and after pleading guilty, Chacin was sentenced to 113 days in prison, which he had already served, and was released the same day. His ICE detention was also lifted on the same day for unknown reasons.
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Joel Gonzalez Chacin, 41, suspected of driving under the influence in the accident that killed her, appeared in court Tuesday morning. (Harris County Constable, 4th Precinct)
FOX News Digital reached out to ICE to find out why Chacin was released from custody, but has not yet received a response.
Authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital that the 41-year-old immigrant was intoxicated when he T-boned Christina Smith and her daughter, Ivory, at 2:45 a.m. Police said Chacin was ” “Instead of helping,” he said, taking photos of the crash site. Then drove off. The two victims were just minutes from the home.
Smith suffered serious injuries in the accident, but has since been released from the hospital. Chacin was arrested on suspicion of DUI manslaughter and was booked into ICE custody.
Ivory was a second year student. A statement released by the family said the mother “continues to endure physical and emotional pain” as a result of the accident.
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Authorities say a suspected drunk driver crashed into their car, killing 7-year-old Ivory Smith and seriously injuring her mother. (GoFundMe)
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The family said, “No parent should have to suffer the unbearable loss of a child, especially under circumstances that could and should have been prevented.'' The case calls for “a stronger sense of responsibility and justice to prevent further suffering.'' “It was a stark reminder of the need,” he added. For families like ours. ”
“Even more troubling is the fact that this individual was detained and released earlier this year, only to be re-detained after causing irreparable harm,” the family continued. “Why would there be a crackdown if we couldn’t keep dangerous people off the streets?…We don’t have a lenient system where people with such criminal records are given the chance to reoffend freely. How can I be forgiven?”
“Her life, full of innocence and joy, was taken away too soon by the reckless actions of an individual who chose to drink and drive,” the family said of Ivory.
“We will continue to seek answers and advocate for change so that no other family has to endure the pain, loss and injustice that we are experiencing,” they said. “Ivory’s light and legacy deserve greater recognition, and her memory will guide us as we strive for a safer future for all.”
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
