Tucson, Ariz. - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Naco station located an 11-year-old girl from Honduras Wednesday morning after she went missing in the mountains the previous evening.
Agents apprehended a group of illegal aliens which included the missing girl's eight-year-old sister. Agents were alerted by members of the group that the 11-year-old girl and their smuggler were missing. Naco agents notified the Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) who immediately dispatched a team to help with the search. The girl was found alone in a canyon, but in good condition. The smuggler had abandoned the girl when the group ran from approaching agents. Smugglers will leave anyone who will slow down their escape from possible apprehension or could prevent them from benefiting off of their human cargo.
After transporting the girl to the Naco Station, the young siblings were reunited. Both girls remain in good spirits and are being transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Situations such as these demonstrate the Border Patrol's willingness and ability to take immediate action. The BORSTAR Unit was created specifically to help save lives along the border. From Oct. 1, 2009, to January 31, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol rescued 55 individuals. Agents continue to make every effort possible to provide assistance to individuals in need.