Miami, Florida — A 13-year-old boy died after his shirt became caught on a screw on a playground slide at a Miami park, according to his grieving mother, who is now warning other parents to pay close attention to playground equipment.
Olvin Daniel Cabrera Valladares was at Shenandoah Park in Miami on Sept. 25 when the tragic incident occurred, his mother, Estefanía Valladares, told local media.
The teenager was supposed to be at school that day but instead rode his scooter to the park, according to his mother.
Mother Says Son Was Found Caught on Playground Equipment
Estefanía said Olvin was discovered later that day by a man who had gone to the park with his own children. According to the mother, the man found the teenager caught on a screw connected to the playground slide.
“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.”
The teenager was rushed to a hospital following the incident and placed on life support. His condition remained critical until he was declared brain dead on Oct. 1, according to his family.
The family has since started a fundraising campaign to help cover funeral expenses.
“He Had His Whole Life Ahead of Him”
For Olvin’s mother, the loss has been devastating.
“He was my baby, my youngest, just 13 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him,” Estefanía told Local 10. She also described the pain of losing her youngest child and said she never expected to experience such a tragedy.
“As a mother, it’s very hard to lose a son. I never thought I would lose my son,” she said.
The family is now mourning the teenager while authorities continue looking into exactly what happened at the park.
Officials Investigating the Incident
Officials have not independently confirmed the chain of events described by Olvin’s mother. A city spokesperson told The Post that the incident “is under active investigation.”
The investigation is expected to examine the playground equipment and the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s injuries.
The incident has also raised questions about the condition of the slide and whether the equipment had any defects or loose components that could have contributed to the tragedy.
Park Briefly Closed After Incident
According to Local 10, Shenandoah Park was closed the day after Olvin was found while officials conducted what was described as a “non-criminal investigation.”
The park was reportedly reopened the following day, including the playground slide. The circumstances surrounding the closure and subsequent reopening remain part of the broader investigation into the incident.
For Olvin’s family, however, the focus is now on remembering a child they say had his entire future ahead of him.
Mother Issues Warning to Other Parents
As investigators work to determine what happened, Estefanía is urging other parents to be especially cautious when their children use playground equipment. Her warning comes from the devastating experience of losing her youngest son after what the family describes as a freak accident.
“Be careful taking your children to these parks. Look at the tragedy that happened to my son,” Estefanía said.
The family’s grief has also prompted concerns about whether playground equipment should be checked more frequently for loose screws, damaged parts or other hazards that could pose risks to children.
Authorities have not announced any findings from the investigation so far.
For now, Olvin’s family continues to grieve the loss of a 13-year-old who they say had his whole life ahead of him, while officials work to establish the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
What do you think parents should check before allowing children to play on playground equipment? Share your thoughts and condolences for Olvin’s family in the comments.
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