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  4. Smugglers Abandon Four Children on the Bank of the Rio Grande

Smugglers Abandon Four Children on the Bank of the Rio Grande

Release Date
Sat, 10/17/2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Border Patrol agents locate four young children after a human smuggler leaves them alone on the banks of the Rio Grande.

Early this morning, Brownsville Station Border Patrol agents working near Brownsville, Texas, were advised by an agent operating a Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) that a group of subjects had crossed the Rio Grande. The RVSS operator then reported a lone subject was seen rafting back towards Mexico. Responding agents located four children, ages seven, six, four, and four, walking alone along the river levee. The children were shivering and their clothes were wet. Agents immediately placed them in their service vehicles and turned on the heaters. The children were transported to the Border Patrol station where they were given dry clothes, food, and evaluated by medical staff.

The children, two sets of siblings, were in good health and did not require medical treatment. The children are from Honduras and El Salvador. The children had names and U.S. phone numbers written on their clothes.

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation.  The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.

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

Last Modified: Mar 13, 2024