'Be Careful Taking Your Children': Mum Warns Parents After Son Dies Trapped in Slide With Shirt Around His Neck

A grieving mother has warned parents about playground safety after her 13-year-old son died following an accident in which, according to the family, his shirt became caught on a screw inside a slide at a Miami park.

Olvin Daniel Cabrera Valladares went to Shenandoah Park in Miami's Coral Way neighborhood on 25 September.

The 13-year-old student at Miami's Citrus Grove K-8 Center was found inside the slide by a man who was visiting the park with his children.

The boy's mother, Estefanía Valladares, told Local 10 that the man tried to pull her son free but found his shirt caught on a screw inside the slide. Valladares said the man pulled again, after which Olvin fell out of the slide, with his arm inside his shirt and his collar tight around his neck.

Paramedics performed emergency treatment before taking Olvin to hospital, where doctors and medical staff tried to save him, according to the family's GoFundMe appeal. The appeal says he was declared brain dead on 1 October.

Family Appeals for Help Following Sudden Loss

The tragedy has left the teenager's family completely devastated as they face unexpected funeral expenses.

Writing in Spanish in a GoFundMe appeal created to help cover funeral and final expenses, Olvin's sister, Stephany Valladares, described her family's heartbreak and their hopes for his recovery.

'My brother went to Shenandoah Park to play,' Stephany wrote. 'While going down a slide, his shirt caught on a screw protruding from the structure.

Olvin fought to free himself, but unfortunately could not get his shirt loose and ultimately lost consciousness.'

Stephany added that the family held onto hope while medical teams worked to save her brother, but they are now forced to make final arrangements.

'This tragedy has left our family completely devastated,' Stephany shared. 'We are asking for help to raise the necessary funds to cover Olvin's funeral expenses and final arrangements, so we can give him the farewell he deserves, surrounded by the love of his family.'

As of 7 October, the campaign had raised $15,155 towards its $18,000 goal from 267 donations.

Park Closure and City Investigation

After Olvin was found unconscious, Shenandoah Park was temporarily closed as part of a non-criminal investigation.

Miami District 3 Commissioner Rolando Escalona said on social media that the park had been closed for a 'non-criminal investigation.'

Video footage captured by local news outlets showed city investigators examining the playground equipment, looking closely at both the interior and exterior of the slide structure.

When a Local 10 crew visited the park after it reopened the following day, visible screws on the playground equipment appeared flat. It was unclear whether any repairs had been made to the slide.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Miami expressed deep condolences to the family while declining to provide specific technical details about the playground equipment, noting that the matter remains under active investigation to gather all facts.

In the wake of her son's death, Estefanía Valladares urged other parents to remain vigilant when taking their children to public recreational spaces.

'I have a message for parents,' Valladares said. 'Be careful taking your children to these parks. Look at the tragedy that happened to my son.'