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Four Missing Honduran Children Found: Mother Calls From New York to Allege Kidnapping Scheme

Posted on: Thursday, 26 January 2006, 09:00 CST

By Sergio Chapa, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Jan. 26--INDIAN LAKE -- A 43-year-old woman is under investigation for kidnapping and human smuggling after local police found four children who were reportedly "being held for ransom" inside her home Tuesday.

According to reports, the children's mother called authorities from New York claiming that the four had been "kidnapped" and were being held by a human smuggler for a $3,000 "ransom."

Indian Lake Police Chief John Chambers said local police and Cameron County sheriff's deputies arrived at a home on the 100 block of South Aztec Cove shortly after receiving the call around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Chambers said resident Griselda Valdez, 43, claimed that she and her son were the only ones home, but four plates of food could be seen on the kitchen table.

A noise in the back of the home further prompted authorities to ask for and receive consent to search the house.

Chambers said police found four children ranging in age from 7 to 15 from Honduras in the home's bathroom.

The Indian Lake police chief said the children were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol custody to determine their immigration status.

Although no arrests were made and no charges were filed at press time Wednesday, Chambers said Indian Lake police turned the case over to federal authorities.

Border Patrol officials declined to confirm custody of the children or comment on the case, citing an ongoing investigation into the incident.

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Nina Pruneda confirmed agents from her agency and the Border Patrol went to the Indian Lake home but said the case did not appear to be a "kidnapping" as the children's mother claimed.

"There wasn't sufficient information or witnesses to corroborate what was being claimed," Pruneda said.

Chambers said an investigation into the case would continue locally and that Valdez could be facing state charges depending on the outcome.

schapa@brownsvilleherald.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Brownsville Herald

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