Texas state troopers rescued a 5-year-old girl from smugglers who carried her across the Rio Grande. The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that the girl’s mother organized the operation, claiming she found the smugglers online and agreed to pay them $8,000 to bring her daughter to the United States.
The rescue began when cops stopped a large pickup truck carrying the mother and smuggler in the front and the child in the back. Officers realized the infant was inside after seeing her carried on a border security video.
The troopers questioned the mother about who was driving. She told them it was a buddy she met on social media.
Officers then spoke with the young girl, who confirmed that a male had transported her across the Rio Grande that morning.
Roman Ibarra admitted to the Texas DPS that they would pay him $1,000 to transport the girl. They apprehended and charged him with smuggling persons under the age of 18. Ibarra is a permanent resident.
Dolores Lopez, the mother, is a temporary resident from Mexico who lives in North Carolina. The troopers reported her and the child to the Border Patrol.
DPS is carrying out a follow-up inquiry. Following a district attorney’s review, authorities may file charges against the mother.
Since November, Texas Department of Public Safety troops patrolling the border have discovered over 100 unaccompanied minors coming into the United States. The youngsters have been as young as two years old.