+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

An 8-year-old girl who died in Border Patrol custody was denied an ambulance at least 3 times, report says

Jun 2, 2023, 23:14 IST
Insider
The border patrol patch is seen on a U.S. Border Patrol BORTAC officer.Mike Blake/Reuters
  • Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez arrived at Harlingen Border Patrol Station on May 14.
  • She died on May 17 after complaining about "fever, flu-like symptoms, and pain," a new report says.
Advertisement

An 8-year-old who died in Border Patrol custody last month had her requests to go to a hospital denied multiple times, according to a new report from US Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility.

Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez, who had a history of congenital heart disease and sickle cell anemia, died on May 17, three days after arriving at Harlingen Border Patrol Station in Texas, the report says.

The Office of Professional Responsibility's review found that no Border Patrol officials who interacted with the girl or her mother "acknowledged being aware she suffered from sickle cell anemia or had a history of congenital heart disease."

After the girl arrived at the facility with her family on May 14, she "complained of fever, flu-like symptoms, and pain," according to the report.

The report says the girl was given Tamiflu, ice packs, fever-reducing medications, and nausea medication, and was told to take a cold shower.

Advertisement

On the day she died, the girl complained of having a stomachache, nausea, and trouble breathing, the report says.

"The nurse practitioner also reported denying three or four requests from the girl's mother for an ambulance to be called or for her to be taken to the hospital," the report says.

At 1:55 p.m. on May 17, the girl's mother brought her back to the health unit after she had an apparent seizure, and the girl was unresponsive, according to the report. She was declared dead at 2:50 p.m.

Troy Miller, the acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection, called the 8-year-old's death a "deeply upsetting and unacceptable tragedy" in a statement.

"We can — and we will — do better to ensure this never happens again," he said.

Advertisement

"We provided notice to the medical contractor that delivers care in CBP facilities requiring them to review their practices and address deficiencies immediately," he added. "Several medical providers involved in this incident have now been prohibited from working in CBP facilities."

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article