In a heart-wrenching and devastating turn of events, Tammy Nobles, a grieving mother, has taken legal action against federal agencies, accusing them of failing to prevent the horrific incident that led to the rape and murder of her daughter, 20-year-old Kayla Hamilton, by an MS-13 gang member in 2022. This lawsuit has been filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and seeks $100 million in damages.

 

The lawsuit, which comes almost a year and a half after the tragic incident, alleges that the federal agencies neglected their responsibilities, leading to the unimaginable loss of Kayla Hamilton’s life. The incident took place in July 2020 when Kayla was strangled to death with a phone cord by a 16-year-old suspect whose identity remains undisclosed.

 

According to the lawsuit, both DHS and DHHS failed in their duties by allowing the El Salvadoran suspect to enter the United States without properly verifying his status through a phone call. Additionally, they allegedly failed to identify gang-related tattoos on the suspect and did not confirm the existence of a verified sponsor for him.

As a result of these alleged failures, the suspect was able to run away and eventually became Kayla Hamilton’s roommate in a trailer home in Maryland, subleasing from another undocumented immigrant. This lawsuit brings to light the devastating consequences of what the plaintiff claims were serious lapses in border security and immigration procedures.

In an emotional interview with NewsNation, Tammy Nobles expressed her anguish, stating that nobody at the border did their job and checked the suspect’s background. She firmly believes that if the federal government had properly screened the suspect, they would have discovered his affiliation with the notorious MS-13 gang, which should have disqualified him from entering the country. She emphasized that these oversights led to the tragic loss of her daughter’s life, and she believes that both DHS and DHHS share the responsibility for this tragedy.

 

Tammy Nobles also highlighted the urgency of bringing attention to the situation at the border, especially in the wake of a record influx of migrants entering the country in December. She shared her personal journey of discovering the flaws in the immigration system only after her daughter’s brutal murder, expressing her determination to seek justice.

 

The lawsuit alleges that a single phone call to El Salvador could have revealed the suspect’s gang affiliation and prevented him from entering the United States. It emphasizes that the DHS should have followed its own protocol, including checking for gang-related tattoos and confirming the existence of a verified sponsor.

Brian Claypool, the family’s attorney, echoed Tammy Nobles’ concerns, stating that the federal government is being held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. He emphasized that this tragedy could have happened to anyone and urged the DHS to follow their established procedures.

Furthermore, Claypool explained the critical role played by DHHS in verifying sponsors for individuals entering the country. He stated that DHHS failed in its duty by allowing the suspect to run away after being placed with a sponsor.

 

The lawsuit serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of what the plaintiff alleges were systemic failures within federal agencies responsible for border security and immigration procedures. It also sheds light on the heartbreaking loss experienced by Tammy Nobles and her family and the pursuit of justice in memory of Kayla Hamilton.

 

Kayla Hamilton’s life was tragically cut short on July 27, 2022, when she was raped and strangled to death. Her body was discovered by police officers who had responded to a call about a suspected cardiac arrest victim at a mobile home in Rancho Estates, Maryland. The suspect was arrested on January 15, 2023, after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene. He was charged with first-degree murder, rape, and robbery. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that the suspect was a member of the MS-13 gang.

In the wake of this tragedy, House Judiciary Committee Republicans launched an investigation into Kayla Hamilton’s rape and murder, criticizing what they perceived as “open border policies” of the Biden administration. U.S. Representatives Jim Jordan and Tom McClintok demanded answers from the Health and Human Services Department regarding Kayla’s death.

As Tammy Nobles prepares to present her case before a federal judge in June, she continues to grapple with the profound loss of her daughter. The hardest part of the past 18 months, she tearfully explained, is the realization that her daughter’s death could have been prevented if the federal agencies had fulfilled their responsibilities. She remains committed to seeking justice for Kayla and for others affected by similar failures in the immigration system.