An 8-year-old girl died while in the custody of United States border patrol after suffering a "medical emergency."
The girl has been identified as Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, originally born to Honduran parents in Panama. Reyes was also born with a heart condition that affected her overall health. She and her family were being detained in Harlingen, Texas near the Mexican border at the time of her death.
"Emergency Medical Services were called to the station and transported her to the local hospital where she was pronounced dead," Customs and Border Protection said in a statement, adding that an investigation is currently being conducted, as is standard in cases involving deaths.
Family members told Noticias Telemundo that Reyes' parents were travelling to the United States to receive treatment for her heart. Reyes' aunt, Lorna Santos, described Reyes as a "happy girl" whose parents sought a “country of opportunities” for her.
Reyes had “not been feeling well” during their travels and had been diagnosed with the flu. Her mother had reported taken her to authorities several times with complaints of “shortness of breath" and backpains. When she finally saw medical staff, they sent her to the hospital.
“They left her there in the waiting room, and that’s where the girl died,” Santos said.
Santos questioned the decision by authorities to detain Reyes in her medical state. She said that she was devastated when her sister told her that “we no longer have her in this world.”
The Honduran Foreign Ministry has also called for a complete autopsy, stating: "The Honduran Consulate in McAllen, Texas has asked US Border Patrol for the respective report related to the death of the minor."
On behalf of the agency and the country, Justice of the Peace Jesus “Chuy” Garcia said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
