McAllen, Texas– The Honduran family of an 8-year-old girl with a heart condition who died in U.S. custody after crossing the border in 2023 filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Friday.
Anadith Danae Reyes Alvarez, who was Chronic heart problems and sickle cell anemiaHe developed flu-like symptoms and died after being detained for eight days at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Donna, and later in Harlingen, Texas.
that CPB internal investigation It found a failure to provide appropriate medical care and that medical personnel did not review documents provided by the mother describing the girl’s sensitive condition. While in detention, Annadeth developed a high fever of 104.9 F (40.5 C) as well as nausea, breathing difficulties, and pain.
Despite her mother’s pleas, the child’s body was not taken to the hospital She went limp into her mother’s arms. Mabel Alvarez Benedix described her daughter’s death in an emotional interview with The Associated Press later that week.
The US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
Friday’s wrongful death lawsuit follows A Damage claim filed against the government last year, which was denied in October. The lawsuit seeks to cover damages to the family but does not ask for a specific monetary amount.
The girl’s mother said that she visits a psychiatrist regularly and takes medication to help her sleep. Her father, Rosell Reyes Martinez, said their daughter’s death was the fulfillment of a parent’s worst nightmare.
“That’s why we filed this lawsuit today in her memory, to ensure that no family experiences the same pain that we did,” her father said Thursday.