Migrant mom denied help after daughter’s death in custody.

Mother of 8-Year-Old Who Died in Border Patrol Custody Speaks Out

Tragic Loss

The heartbreaking story of Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez, the 8-year-old girl who died in Border Patrol custody due to a medical emergency, has left the nation in shock. Her mother, Alvarez Benedicks, is now speaking out about the tragedy.

According to Benedicks, her daughter was diagnosed with influenza in Brownsville, Texas, and was transferred to the Harlingen station for treatment. However, Benedicks knew there was a larger issue because her daughter had undergone heart surgery three years ago.

Ignored Pleas for Help

Benedicks claims that her daughter cried and begged for her life, but was ignored by the Border Patrol agents. “They killed my daughter, because she was nearly a day and a half without being able to breathe,” Benedicks said. “They didn’t do anything for her.”

Alvarez received some medical attention, but it was too little, too late. She passed away before an ambulance was called.

Investigation Ongoing

The cause of Alvarez’s death is still under investigation. Customs and Border Protections reported that emergency medical staff transported her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Alvarez was the second minor to die in Border Patrol custody in the last two weeks and the third this year. The last report of minor deaths was between 2018 and 2019, when at least six migrant children died in federal custody under the Trump administration, most of them in Border Patrol custody or soon after being released by the agency.

Take Action

It’s time for change. We must demand better treatment for migrants and their families. Here are some ways you can help:

• Donate to organizations that provide legal and humanitarian aid to migrants, such as the ACLU and RAICES.
• Contact your elected officials and demand they take action to improve conditions for migrants in custody.
• Spread awareness about this issue and encourage others to get involved.

Let’s work together to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.