Rhode Island Mom Held At Boston Logan 12 Days: Reports

BOSTON, MA — A Rhode Island mother of six has been detained at Boston Logan International Airport for 12 days, according to reports.

Eva Mendes, 48, a resident of Woonsocket, came to the United States from Cape Verde when she was 8 years old, according to Boston.com, and last month returned to the Cape Verde after her brother died.

See also: 'Multiple Patients' After Serious Andover Wreck Involving 2 Semis And 1 Car: Firefighters

"When Mendes returned to Logan on Nov. 5, she was detained by officials from Customs and Border Protection," Boston.com reported. "She is still being detained at the airport as of Friday morning, according to her lawyer Todd Pomerleau. She has been allowed to speak with family members, but has not been allowed to speak with Pomerleau, he said."

See also: AI Reading License Plates For MA Cops: Report

A GoFundMe set up for Mendes' legal expenses said the trip was the first time she had returned to Cape Verde in more than 40 years.

See also: Attleboro Barn Fire Kills Horse

"What was meant to be a healing visit of love and family turned into an unimaginable nightmare," the GoFundMe said.

Mendes has been a green card holder since she was 8, according to NBC 10, and Customs and Border Control said she was stopped when she reentered the country "because of her 'criminal history and past convictions,' but did not elaborate."

See also: Boston Tops List Of Best Sports Cities In America: Study

Mendes' attorney "said his client checked with immigration authorities before traveling and was allegedly told there would be no issue coming back," NBC 10 reported. "Homeland Security has not responded to a request for comment on that claim and questions about what Mendes is being charged with."

See also: Methuen Man Perishes In House Fire That Killed 'Significant Number Of Birds And Snakes': DFS