Family sues U.S. over child, 8, who died in custody after crossing border

Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, who suffered from chronic heart disease, sickle cell anemia, and flu-like symptoms, died after being detained for eight days at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Donna (later Harlingen, Texas).

An internal CPB investigation found that appropriate medical care failed to be provided and that medical staff failed to review documentation provided by the mother describing the girl’s sensitive condition. While in custody, Anadis developed a fever of 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius), nausea, difficulty breathing and pain.

Despite the mother’s pleas, she was not taken to the hospital until the child went limp in her arms. Mabel Alvarez Benedix emotionally described her daughter’s death in an interview with The Associated Press later that week.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

Friday’s wrongful death lawsuit follows the dismissal of tort claims filed against the government last year in October. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the family’s losses but does not ask for a specific amount.

The child’s mother said she sees a psychiatrist regularly and takes medication to help her sleep. Her father, Rossel Reyes Martinez, said his daughter’s death was the realization of a parent’s worst nightmare.

“That’s why we’re filing this lawsuit today in her honor, to make sure no other family has to endure the same pain we’ve experienced,” her father said Thursday.