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  4. Three year old left in the hands of strangers in the Rio Grande Valley

Three year old left in the hands of strangers in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date
Fri, 10/16/2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Border Patrol Agents discover a three year old child in the hands of a strangerT-shirt on child that was encountered with strangers after human smugglers raft her across the Rio Grande.

Yesterday afternoon, Fort Brown agents on patrol near Brownville, Texas, responded to a report of an ongoing human smuggling attempt on the banks of the Rio Grande. As agents arrived, they observed an adult female and a child on the U.S. riverbank. Upon interview, agents identified the adult female to be a citizen and national of Venezuela illegally present in the United States. When questioned about the child, the woman stated that the child was not hers and she did not know the child’s identity. She stated she was instructed by human smugglers to take the child and travel north. The woman added the only reason she complied with the smugglers instructions was she felt it was in the best interest and safety of the child. The child was identified as a Honduran national after agents discovered a Honduran birth certificate. In addition to the document, agents found a shirt with a name and phone number written on it.

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.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021