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  4. Border Patrol Agents rescue a three-year-old abandoned in the Rio Grande

Border Patrol Agents rescue a three-year-old abandoned in the Rio Grande

Release Date
Tue, 07/10/2018

EDINBURG, Texas – Yesterday, McAllen agents rescued a three year old separated from her mother by smugglers and abandoned in the river.

Border Patrol agents rescue young girl separated from her mother by smugglers
Border Patrol agents rescue young girl
separated from her mother by smugglers

In the early afternoon hours, the McAllen Station received information from Hidalgo Port of Entry regarding possible illegal aliens underneath the bridge.  As agents responded, they encountered a female claiming that her three-year-old daughter was missing.  She stated that the guide/smuggler crossed her into the US alone. Then, as the smuggler attempted to cross her daughter, she observed them both drifting down river as she lost sight of them. She could not see if they had returned to Mexico or if her child drifted away by herself.

Harlingen Border Patrol Station riverine units and a National Guard helicopter deployed to the area in search of the child. Agents located the child walking on the river road and immediately checked the child for injuries before reuniting her with the mother. The child was unharmed and not in need of medical assistance.

From October 1, 2107, to June 30, 2018, the Rio Grande Valley Sector has rescued 1157 people, an increase of 53% when compared to last year.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”   

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us at @CBPRGV.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021