HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI: Duvan Perez, a 16-year-old worker, died at a Mississippi poultry plant last week in a "tragic incident." Deputy coroner Lisa Klem of the Forrest County Coroner's Office confirmed to PEOPLE that the teenager died at the Mar-Jac Poultry facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, adding that his cause of death would be revealed after an autopsy.
"On the evening of Friday, July 14 an employee conducting sanitation operations at Mar-Jac Poultry MS LLC’s Hattiesburg, Mississippi poultry processing plant died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident," Mar-Jac Poultry wrote in a statement to CNN, adding, "We deeply regret the loss and send our most sincere condolences to his family and friends."
Who was Duvan Perez?
Perez, who was from Guatemala, died on Friday, July 14, as a result of a work-related accident at the Mar-Jac Poultry facility in Hattiesburg. He was a middle schooler, who immigrated to the US from the town of Huispache six years ago. According to a statement provided by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spokesperson Erika Ruthman, OSHA and the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division have both opened investigations into "this tragic incident."
Perez's cousin announced plans to "celebrate" his life on Facebook. She wrote, "With great sadness I announce the loss of my cousin Duvan Perez. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. Join us as we celebrate the life of Duvan Perez on Saturday, July 22nd at 11:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, MS.."
According to NBC station WDAM-TV, the Department of Labor has deemed meat and poultry facilities to be "particularly hazardous" or "detrimental to their health or well-being" of minors under federal law. However, Mar-Jac Poultry said they were providing "full support and cooperation."
According to NBC News, a corporation that is found in violation may be subject to federal penalties of more than $30,000 for each offense. It is unknown how Perez came to work for Mar-Jac Poultry. "We’re very sad," one of the teenager's family members told NBC News, adding, "He was generous, smiley and very fun and very responsible at work."
OSHA fined Mar-Jac Poultry more than $27,000
NBC News reported that this was the second time in the past two years that a factory worker died as a consequence of an accident-related injury. OSHA fined Mar-Jac Poultry more than $27,000, according to documents the outlet received from the organization. However, the company appealed the penalty, and the case was still ongoing.
