Caught on cam: Texas state troopers rescue 5-year-old from smugglers

Texas state troopers rescued a 5-year-old girl from smugglers who carried her across the Rio Grande. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the operation was organized by the girl’s mother, who said she found the smugglers online and agreed to pay them $8,000 to get her daughter into the United States. 

The rescue began when officers pulled over a large pickup truck with the mother and smuggler in front and child in the back. Officers knew the child was inside after witnessing her being carried on a border surveillance camera.

MUST WATCH VIDEO: TX TROOPER RESCUES FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD SMUGGLED ACROSS THE BORDER

11/29: A @TxDPS Trooper stopped a Ram 1500 in Del Rio, Val Verde County, after receiving information from a border surveillance camera (see image) capturing a male adult carrying a child across… https://t.co/b5EIMBxvC3 pic.twitter.com/Vf9jc7gLxM

— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) November 30, 2024

The troopers asked the mother who was driving. She told them it was a friend she met through social media.

Officers then spoke with the child who confirmed she was carried across the Rio Grande that morning by a man. 

According to Texas DPS, Roman Ibarra confessed that he was going to be paid $1,000 to smuggle the girl. They arrested and charged him with smuggling of persons younger than 18 years of age. Ibarra is a permanent resident. 

The mother, Dolores Lopez, is a temporary resident from Mexico living in North Carolina. The troopers referred her and the child to the Border Patrol.

DPS is conducting a follow-up investigation. Authorities may pursue charges against the mother after a review by the district attorney’s office. 

Texas DPS troopers patrolling the border have found more than 100 unaccompanied children crossing into the United States since November. The children have been as young as 2-years old.