Father cites ICE ankle monitor stigma in Haitian student’s Springfield death
A Haitian student, Pierre Damas Bel, 20, who had just begun at Wright State University, died by suicide Aug. 31 after reportedly facing taunting linked to an ICE ankle monitor. Advocates say the monitoring device causes pain and humiliation for Haitians in the area, and Bel’s father says he spoke to him during a mental-health crisis before he walked into traffic on I-70. Bel was a Springfield City School District soccer player, an NHS member, and planned to study neuroscience. DHS did not comment for the story; 988 Lifeline is available for support.