Border agents at San Luis stopped a migrant woman attempting to smuggle a sedated child with a fake birth certificate. The child’s birth mother later admitted to arranging the journey from Mexico, hoping to reunite in Los Angeles. Both women now face charges in this high-risk human smuggling case.
Attempted Smuggling Foiled at Southern Border
A troubling child smuggling attempt was intercepted by federal agents at the San Luis port of entry this week. Homeland Security Investigations officers arrested Gloria Lopez-Corona, a 24-year-old U.S. resident from Mexico after she tried to enter the country with a sedated child and a fraudulent birth certificate. Authorities say Lopez-Corona presented the child as her own, claiming they were enroute to visit the boy’s father in Los Angeles.
Suspicious Behavior Raises Red Flags
Border agents became alarmed when they found the child in a deep sleep, entirely covered with a blanket in the back seat of the car. Despite efforts to wake him, the boy remained unresponsive. A search of the vehicle revealed children’s sleep aids, which officers believe were used to sedate him. Although Lopez-Corona presented documents listing her as the child’s mother, agents questioned the authenticity due to the child’s apparent age—four or five years old—despite the birth certificate stating he was born in 2023.
Further probing uncovered inconsistencies in her story. Lopez-Corona struggled to provide a photo of herself with the child and eventually admitted she didn’t know his name. She also disclosed that her two-year-old child remained in Mexico. Her confession led agents to determine she was not the child’s biological mother.
A Mother’s Risky Decision
The child later told authorities he had been given gummies by his birth mother and brought to the border by various means of transport, including taxi, bus, and plane. He mentioned being housed with other children before arriving at the border.
Investigators contacted the child’s biological mother, Reyna Cecilia Hernandez Reyes, in Mexico. Hernandez Reyes admitted to arranging for her son’s illegal entry into the U.S., stating that her husband had previously been smuggled in through the same method. Despite acknowledging the dangers, she proceeded with the plan, reportedly coordinating the handoff through her husband.
According to court documents, Hernandez Reyes was promised no updates about her son’s journey until he arrived in Los Angeles, where she hoped to reunite with him for $18,000. She now faces charges of child smuggling alongside Lopez-Corona.
Motives And Claims of Coercion
Lopez-Corona asserted that she was coerced into the scheme by individuals who threatened her family. She stated that fear of Mexican local authorities prevented her from seeking help from the authorities. Although she acknowledged that she was promised $1,500 to smuggle the child, she claimed that she refused the money.
Looking Ahead
This case demonstrates the dangers of cross-border child smuggling, as well as the complex reasons underlying the participation of individuals. It further shows how challenging it is for law enforcement agencies to distinguish between coerced and willing participation. With both women facing federal charges, the case adds to a growing number of human smuggling incidents under scrutiny at the southern border. As enforcement efforts ramp up, questions remain about deterring similar high-risk attempts, especially those involving children effectively.
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