Chicago Teen Who Fought Cancer and Her Father’s Release Dies at 16, Highlighting the Stakes for Children in Adult Legal Disputes
A 16-year-old Chicago girl who publicly called for her father’s release from immigration detention while she battled a rare and aggressive cancer has died, closing a chapter that placed a critically ill child at the center of legal proceedings and renewed attention on how systems account for a child’s need for protection and family stability.
Ofelia Torres was diagnosed in December 2024 with Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects soft tissue. A junior at Lake View High School, she spent much of the past year completing schoolwork from home or the hospital as she underwent treatment.
Her family had lived in Chicago for about 20 years, raising Ofelia on the Northwest Side.
On Oct. 18, 2025, while Ofelia was home from the hospital, her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Within days, Ofelia posted a video on Instagram calling for his release and speaking about families in similar situations. In the video, she described her father as a hardworking parent who helped care for her brother while she was hospitalized.
“My dad, like many others, is a hardworking person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaining, thinking about his family,” she said. “I find it so unfair that hardworking immigrant families are being targeted just because they were not born here.”
Torres Maldonado was released about two weeks later on a $2,000 bond after a judge considered his daughter’s medical treatment during a hearing.
A Child at the Center of Legal Proceedings
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said Torres Maldonado has a history of driving-related offenses, including driving without insurance and without a valid license, and alleged that he did not comply with officers during his arrest. The case remains ongoing.
Shortly before Ofelia’s death, an immigration judge ruled that Torres Maldonado was conditionally entitled to cancellation of removal due to the hardship his deportation would cause his U.S. citizen children, according to a family representative. The ruling provides a pathway for him to seek lawful permanent residence and eventual U.S. citizenship.
Ofelia attended that hearing via Zoom three days before she died.
What This Case Reveals About Child Protection
At the heart of the case was a teenager undergoing treatment for a life-threatening illness while her family navigated immigration proceedings.
In child welfare frameworks across the United States, decisions that affect minors are often evaluated under the principle of the “best interests of the child.” This standard generally considers a child’s physical safety, emotional well-being, stability, and continuity of care.
For children with serious medical conditions, stability at home can be especially important. Consistent caregiver presence may affect daily routines, transportation to treatment, emotional reassurance, and overall support during prolonged illness.
Ofelia’s situation placed those considerations into public view. While her father’s case followed legal procedures, her medical condition was raised during court proceedings and cited in the judge’s decision regarding cancellation of removal.
Her advocacy drew attention from elected officials and community members who expressed condolences following her death. Several officials noted her courage in speaking publicly while undergoing treatment.
A Story of Family and Vulnerability
Ofelia’s death at 16 brought together two difficult realities: a child facing advanced cancer and a family navigating immigration enforcement.
Her case underscores how legal actions involving parents can intersect with the daily needs of children, particularly those who are medically fragile. It also highlights the role courts may play in weighing hardship to U.S. citizen children during immigration proceedings.
As her family prepares funeral arrangements, her story remains a reminder that policy decisions and enforcement actions can have immediate and personal impacts on children.
Ofelia Torres became known for using her voice during a deeply vulnerable time in her life. In doing so, she placed a human face on broader questions about how systems account for the protection, stability, and well-being of children when families enter legal uncertainty.
