American-Born Infant Abandoned in Mexico

Reported by: Farrah Fazal
Last Update: 10:12 am

REYNOSA, MEXICO - A weeks-old infant born in the United States was abandoned in Mexico.

Mexican state police investigators told CHANNEL 5 NEWS Emilio May Lara and Reyna Montoya Cornejo left their baby girl at a church in Reynosa because she has Down Syndrome.

The couple are behind bars in Mexico, charged with abandoning the month-old girl Mayte.

Mayte was born at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, making her a U.S. citizen. Immigration lawyer Gerardo Arriaga said her birth certificate guarantees her rights.

"If you are born in this country, it doesn't matter if your parents are foreigners. You are still a U.S. citizen; you have all the rights of any other U.S. citizen," said Arriaga.

He said the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros could bring Mayte back to the United States.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS tried to contact the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, but they did not return our calls. We also contacted child protective services in Reynosa. The lawyer said little Mayte is at their facility, where doctors are caring for her.

She has a grandmother in the United States who said she will adopt her. The U.S. Consulate is said to be trying to arrange that.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Am ... gPImw.cspx