Pinal County sheriff’s deputies rescue 8-year-old boy from suspected child smuggling operation

PHOENIX — An 8-year-old boy was rescued from a human smuggling operation in Eloy this week, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).

The boy is in the custody of federal agents, who intend to pursue criminal charges against the Mexican woman who was pulled over while driving him on Wednesday.

The female suspect, whose name was not released, is not an American citizen and was driving a vehicle with a Mexican license plate, PCSO said.

The sheriff’s office released video footage of deputies speaking with the woman and the boy in Spanish, during which she told an officer she was paid $500 to transfer the boy. The officer admonished her, saying she could be bringing the boy into a sexual trafficking situation.

8-year-old boy rescued from human smuggling operation: details

Authorities became aware of the situation while monitoring a suspected smuggling vehicle in Cochise County on Wednesday.

In addition to the 8-year-old boy, there was also a second child in the vehicle: the driver’s biological daughter, PCSO said.

A multi-agency task force made a traffic stop, after which the woman moved to a motel room in Eloy while authorities searched the vehicle for narcotics.

At this point, officers with the task force involved PCSO, asking officers to contact her. Deputies with the sheriff’s office said her story didn’t make sense and believed the 8-year-old boy had been coached on what to say.

As of Friday afternoon, the traffickers’ intention with the boy is not known, PCSO said.

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