The girl had a chronic heart condition, a rare blood disorder, a high fever, and other ailments, but her mother's pleas for an ambulance were ignored. Dr. Tarantino was the first person to hold the position, created in 2020 to address the growing number of families and young children presenting Border Patrol agents with complex medical challenges.
CBP praised Dr. Tarantino for his years of service and expanding medical services for people in custody but indicated that it was time for a change. He is expected to take a temporary position at the Department of Homeland Security next week. The reassignment was first reported by The Washington Post.
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The girl, Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez, was moved with her family to a Border Patrol station in Harlingen, Texas, after being diagnosed with the flu. She died on her ninth day in custody on May 17, after staff had about nine encounters with her and her mother over her final four days. CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility reported that a nurse practitioner denied three or four requests from the girl's mother for an ambulance, despite the girl having a 104.9-degree Fahrenheit temperature, nausea, and breathing difficulties. Instead, she was given medications, a cold pack, and a shower.
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CBP stated that it is implementing required improvements to its medical care policies and processes, including those arising from the ongoing investigation into the girl's death. The agency is bringing in other senior leadership to drive action across the organization.
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