Additional Coverage:
- Tooth infection and dental disease cited as cause of death for Haitian man in ICE custody (nbcnews.com)
Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man detained by ICE since September, died on March 2, 2026, at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to the Maricopa County medical examiner’s office, the cause of death was related to severe dental issues, including an untreated tooth infection that led to complications.
Damas had been held at the Florence Detention Center in Arizona and was transported to the hospital on February 19 after reporting shortness of breath. The medical examiner’s website cites the primary cause of death as “Complications of Necrotizing Mediastinitis with Neck and Retropharyngeal Abscess in the setting of Severe Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease,” with the manner of death classified as natural.
While ICE noted that Damas received hospital care, including time in the intensive care unit, their statement did not address whether he had raised concerns about dental pain or requested treatment for his teeth. Damas’ brother, Presly Nelson, has maintained that his brother was healthy before detention and had no significant dental problems until recently. Nelson recounted that in the last week of contact, Damas complained of a toothache and was reportedly given only ibuprofen by detention facility staff.
Representative Adelita Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding Damas’ medical care while in custody. She has formally requested comprehensive medical records and a detailed account of events leading to his death, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The final medical examiner’s report is expected to be released later this month.