C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Saves Mother, Daughter, Woman from Heat After Ditched by Smugglers

(Tuesday, July 14, 2009)

Boulevard, Calif. — Yesterday, U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a mother, her 12-year-old daughter, and their 23-year-old female companion from the deadly heat in East County after being left behind by their smuggler two days earlier.

The three females, all from Mexico, were spotted on the side of Interstate 8 by a Border Patrol agent near an area called Walker Canyon. The three were crying and suffering from apparent heat exhaustion. The agent gave them water and swiftly took them to a Border Patrol station for safety and examination by Emergency Medical Technicians. The medical personnel determined it was prudent to take the females to a local hospital for further evaluation where they were treated and later released to the Border Patrol.

The 36-year-old mother claimed they had crossed the border with a group but were left behind in the desert by their smuggler and had been wandering for two days. They eventually ran out of water before finally making it to the interstate.

The San Diego Sector Border Patrol recognizes the dangers created by the harsh summer conditions that are common in San Diego’s mountainous regions. Border Patrol agents search for and are equipped to render assistance to those who succumb to the elements. Since October 2008, the San Diego Sector Border Patrol has rescued 35 people.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_2.xml