YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma station encountered a group of illegal crossers Tuesday afternoon and determined a seven-month-old baby among them needed medical attention.
An agent encountered the group east of the San Luis Port of Entry at approximately 3 p.m. The agent noticed that a baby in the group had an exposed stoma and called an EMT to the scene to monitor him. After checking the baby and interviewing the parents, the EMT determined that the baby needed medical attention.
“After interviewing the parents about the baby’s medical history, he determined that the baby needed humidified oxygen,” said Enrique Mora, coordinator of Yuma Sector’s emergency medical program.
EMS was called to the scene and transported the baby to the hospital. The baby, a citizen of Costa Rica, was later flown to a Phoenix hospital for specialized care. His mother, who is from Venezuela, accompanied him to the hospital, while his Cuban father and two Venezuelan siblings remained in custody in Yuma.
“Our Emergency Medical Technicians take the initiative to gain additional skills beyond those of Border Patrol agents and are always ready to respond to the needs of the community,” Mora said. “Yesterday’s response exemplifies the commitment to ensuring the safety of aliens in distress.”