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  4. Cowardly smuggler smacks child on head in attempt to silence her

Cowardly smuggler smacks child on head in attempt to silence her

Release Date
Wed, 09/06/2017

EDINBURG, Texas – On Monday, agents apprehended a group of 13 illegal aliens as they crossed the Rio Grande south of Granjeno, Texas. As the group was being processed, a Honduran woman carrying her one year-old infant informed agents that her child had been intentionally struck in the head by one of the smugglers. The woman stated that prior to crossing into the United States, the infant was crying and was inconsolable. As she tried to calm her child, one of the smugglers struck the baby in the head with a flashlight to silence the child. Agents transported the mother and the infant to the hospital for medical evaluation. The child was cleared by medical staff and released.

Infant struck by smuggler in attempt to quiet her
Infant struck by
smuggler in attempt
to quiet her

“This incident highlights how these callous smugglers have no regard for the safety or well-being of the people they bring into the country,” said Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla, Jr. “In the human smuggling trade, people are viewed as a commodity with a cash value that can be traded, exploited or discarded as needed.”

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

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