A five-year-old boy in Philadelphia is experiencing a severe decline in health due to an eating disorder that has worsened since his father, Johny Merida, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Merida, a Bolivian national, was taken into custody in September 2025 after living in the United States without legal status for nearly two decades. His detention has left his son, Jair Merida, who suffers from brain cancer and autism, without the daily support he requires.
Jair’s condition has become critical as he depends on PediaSure nutrition drink for sustenance, a regimen that his father managed while caring for him. The situation has become dire since Merida’s detention almost five months ago, as the boy only accepts food from his father. With Merida now facing deportation, the family is confronted with the harsh reality that returning to Bolivia could jeopardize Jair’s health.
“Even if we wanted to go back to Bolivia, there’s no hospital,” Merida stated to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The US State Department has reported that hospitals in Bolivia are ill-equipped to handle serious medical conditions, further complicating the family’s options.
Family Struggles Amid Detention
Merida’s decision to accept deportation comes amidst growing concerns about the impact on his family. His wife, Gimena Morales Antezana, has struggled to provide for their three children without her husband’s income. She indicated that managing basic necessities like rent and utilities has become increasingly difficult. “We have been trying to survive, but it is difficult with the children because they miss their dad so much,” Morales Antezana explained.
The family plans to reunite in Cochabamba, Bolivia, although the exact timing of Merida’s deportation is uncertain. Morales Antezana, who had to stop working to care for Jair’s health needs, emphasized the emotional toll on their children. Jair, who completed chemotherapy in August 2022, has been prescribed oral chemotherapy after a recurrence of his brain tumor. His eating disorder, known as avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, makes him particularly vulnerable without his father’s care.
Medical professionals have voiced their concerns regarding Jair’s health. Cynthia Schmus, a neuro-oncology nurse practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, noted the critical role that Merida’s daily support plays in Jair’s health. She warned that Jair is “at risk of significant medical decline” if he does not receive proper nutrition.
Legal Complications and Health Risks
Merida’s lawyer, John Vandenberg, described the conditions at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center as challenging, noting that Merida has reached his limit under these circumstances. He was arrested during a traffic stop in Philadelphia and has a history of previous deportation attempts, though he has not been charged with any felony offenses in the US.
The ongoing legal situation includes a temporary stay on Merida’s deportation issued by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. A T-visa application for Morales Antezana, which could provide a path to citizenship for her and the children, has also been filed, but progress on that application has stalled.
Jair and his siblings, all US citizens, face an uncertain future. The family has received support through a GoFundMe campaign, which highlighted the dangers of returning to Bolivia, where pediatric cancer survival rates are significantly lower than in the United States.
As the family prepares for the possibility of leaving the US, Morales Antezana expressed her fears about the lack of adequate medical facilities in Bolivia. “It’s scary to think that if something happens we don’t have a hospital to take him to,” she said, but she also noted that the prospect of reuniting with Merida provides some comfort.
While the family awaits updates on their legal status and Merida’s deportation, the health and well-being of Jair remain at the forefront of their concerns. The situation underscores the intersection of immigration policy and healthcare access, raising urgent questions about the support available to vulnerable families facing such crises.
