Dozens of mourners gathered in New York City on Friday to pay their respects to Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, an 8-year-old girl who tragically lost her life while in Border Patrol custody. The Alvarez family, in a statement, expressed their desire for justice and to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Surrounded by balloons adorned with rainbows and Minnie Mouse, the casket served as a poignant reminder of the girl’s young life. Anadith’s family had been en route to New York City before their journey across the southern U.S. border took a devastating turn. The circumstances surrounding her death have brought heightened scrutiny to the U.S. government’s treatment of detained migrants.
Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, Anadith’s mother, embraced nearly every guest at the R.G. Ortiz Funeral Home, expressing her gratitude for their presence. Overwhelmed with emotion, she reached for tissues to wipe away her tears.
It was revealed that Anadith had a history of heart problems and sickle cell anemia, which her mother had informed Border Patrol medical personnel about. However, an internal investigation discovered that the medical staff declined to review the girl’s medical file before she suffered a seizure and tragically passed away on May 17, the family’s ninth day in custody.
In their statement, the Alvarez family emphasized their wish for justice and their determination to prevent such incidents from recurring. The emotional closure of the funeral saw Benedicks shedding tears as the casket was closed. Pastor Arnold Ciego led the gathering in song, highlighting that the family’s journey was driven by their pursuit of medical assistance for Anadith, not a desire to simply leave their home countries.
“When will we find respite from an unjust system?” Ciego questioned.
Rossel Reyes, Anadith’s father, tearfully recalled cherished memories of his daughter while pointing to poster boards displaying photos of her. He recounted joyful moments from Mexico, where Anadith never left her bike, and their time in Honduras, walking hand-in-hand on the beach. Reyes described her as affectionate, kind, and caring, pledging to keep her memory alive every day.
Anadith, born in Panama, tragically lost her life in a Border Patrol station located in Harlingen, Texas. A week prior, her family of five had surrendered to border agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico. During her custody, Anadith tested positive for influenza. Her mother informed the authorities about her medical history, but a preliminary report from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility revealed that the medical staff declined to review the file.
Following Anadith’s death, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the reassignment of its chief medical officer, Dr. David Tarantino, and stated its intention to bring in additional senior leadership to drive action within the agency.
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