Texas DPS Rescues Unaccompanied Siblings Abandoned near Rio Grande in Eagle Pass

In yet another heart-wrenching incident highlighting the dire consequences of human smuggling and trafficking, Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) troopers have successfully rescued two unaccompanied children, aged 4 and 7, who were found abandoned near the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The children, hailing from Chiapas, Mexico, were discovered by vigilant DPS Special Agents during their routine patrol.

The rescue took place as part of the ongoing efforts of TxDPS under #OperationLoneStar, a multi-agency initiative aimed at combatting human smuggling, trafficking, and related criminal activities along the Texas-Mexico border. The operation has been a central focus for law enforcement agencies in the region as they combat the alarming rise in cases of children being abandoned or falling victim to criminal networks.

Upon discovering the children, DPS Special Agents also came across a note left with them, bearing an address from Alabama. This disturbing detail further underscores the complexities of human trafficking networks that span across state lines and international borders.

Local authorities quickly engaged the U.S. Border Patrol for assistance in addressing the immediate needs of the children. The siblings were taken into protective custody and provided with medical attention and care. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be leading the investigation into this case, aiming to trace the origin of the children’s journey and hold those responsible for their abandonment accountable.

Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. Over the past 24 hours alone, TxDPS troopers have rescued a total of four unaccompanied children in Eagle Pass, emphasizing the gravity of the issue in the region. Since the initiation of #OperationLoneStar, TxDPS troopers have managed to rescue over 900 children who have been subjected to various forms of exploitation, including human smuggling, trafficking, and abandonment.

The TxDPS remains committed to working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, both at the state and federal levels, to safeguard vulnerable children and dismantle criminal operations that exploit their innocence. These efforts underscore the importance of a unified approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by human trafficking along the border.