News from the South - Texas News Feed
Senate probe finds poor medical care at CBP facilities
U.S. Senate investigation of migrant child’s death finds poor medical care at border protection facilities
“U.S. Senate investigation of migrant child’s death finds poor medical care at border protection facilities” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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Poor medical care that preceded the 2023 death of an 8-year-old girl at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility in Harlingen “was not aberrant but consistent” with other incidents of inadequate medical care received by vulnerable migrants in federal custody, a U.S. Senate panel concluded in a report released Friday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee recommended that CBP reduce the time individuals spend in custody, sharpen its medical care oversight and ensure it is meeting its staffing needs to address problems identified in the panel’s investigation.
The report found that many children are held in custody for longer than the recommended 72 hours, CBP facilities are frequently understaffed, processes for getting emergency care are not consistent among facilities and that CBP had failed to adequately oversee its medical contractor.
The probe was prompted by the death of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, a Panamanian girl with sickle cell anemia and heart disease who crossed the border with her family near Brownsville in May 2023.
Her mother, Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, said she was denied a request to take the girl to the hospital despite an influenza diagnosis. Instead, to reduce her temperature, agents gave the girl saline fluids, fever medication and a shower.
They only called an ambulance after Anadith fell unconscious, with blood spilling out of her mouth. She did not have vital signs by the time the ambulance left for the hospital, her mother previously said.
“Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez likely would still be alive if she received adequate emergency medical care in CBP custody,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, who ordered the investigation when he chaired the committee at the time of her death. “For too long, CBP has failed to meet basic medical needs and wasted taxpayer dollars.”
Durbin urged CBP to implement the report’s recommendations as the Trump administration “begins its aggressive and undisciplined anti-immigrant agenda.”
The report also recommended that CBP improve the agency’s medical recordkeeping, ensure staff can seek higher-level medical care and stop the use of isolation units.
A previous internal investigation done by CBP found that contracted medical personnel working at the Harlingen facility had failed to call doctors as the girl’s health worsened and her mother pleaded to take her to a hospital. Staff had also not logged encounters with the girl and said they did not know of her medical history, despite CBP reports showing that her family had told them about her chronic conditions.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/24/texas-migrant-child-death-investigation-senate-committee/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
News from the South - Texas News Feed
Mostly cloudy, slight chance of storms west of SA tonight
SUMMARY:
Title: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of storms west of SA tonight.
Summary: Good Monday morning! I’m meteorologist Justin Horn sharing the forecast. Today will be mostly cloudy with temperatures near 90. Although there’s a slight chance of showers tonight due to potential storms from Mexico, it’s unlikely to impact the river parade. Tomorrow should remain quiet, but expect increased rain chances midweek, particularly Wednesday evening with possible strong thunderstorms. A 40% chance of rain is forecast for Wednesday, along with similar chances on Thursday and Friday. Stay weather-aware, especially with ongoing Fiesta events, but no need to cancel plans.

Better chances of rain by midweek.
News from the South - Texas News Feed
Fiesta de los Niños celebrates STEM learning and video games at Fiesta 2025
SUMMARY: Fiesta de los Niños at Fiesta 2025 celebrates STEM through engaging activities for kids, including video games and technology. The event, held at Port San Antonio, emphasizes the fusion of tradition and innovation, inspiring creativity in children like nine-year-old Josiah Gonzalez. Despite facing challenges related to his disabilities, Josiah finds solace in gaming, which enhances his focus and creativity. The event features free activities such as driving simulators and augmented reality, aiming to make STEM accessible to all kids. Josiah’s mom highlights its positive impact, noting that one event can significantly influence a child’s future.

Thousands of families celebrated this year’s Fiesta with a science twist at Fiesta de los Niños.
News from the South - Texas News Feed
Search Continues for Driver Who Ran Over Two Teenage Girls and Drove Off Without Helping
SUMMARY: Authorities are searching for a driver who struck two teenage girls on separate bicycles early this morning on Airline Drive in West Mount Houston and fled the scene. Surveillance footage captured the incident, showing a 2008 Black Audi hitting the girls around 3:00 a.m., reversing, and potentially hitting one of them again before driving away. Both girls, aged 15, are from the local neighborhood and are hospitalized, one in critical condition and the other serious. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reports that they have identified the suspect vehicle, but the driver remains unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Two teenagers were injured after being struck by a driver who fled the scene.
Surveillance images show several other cars driving by without stopping to help.
The incident occurred at the corner of Airline and West Mount Houston at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning.
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