(Getty Images)
SANTA ANA-- A suspected human smuggler who refused to release a 4 year old girl he was paid to traffic over the Mexico-United States border has been arrested, authorities said.
Orange County Sheriff's deputies arrested 32 year old Emanuel De La Costa-Valdiva for investigation of human trafficking, kidnapping and extortion after the incident.
On Thursday, a mother, who is a Mexican citizen, had a man sneak her child over the border into the U.S. while she crossed into the country by another route, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials
When it came time to return the 4 year old girl to her mother, the smuggler refused to return her, asking for more and more money, officials said.
Later that day, ICE authorities rescued the little girl, who is a U.S. Citizen, and returned her to her mother.
She was unhurt.
Joseph Macias of the Orange County ICE Office of Investigations says it isn't unusual for parents to arrange for their young children to be smuggled over the US-Mexican separately from themselves, though strongly cautions against such practices.
"Parents who contract with human smugglers should remember they are delivering their children into the hands of criminals, criminals who are often all too willing to put a child's welfare at stake for their own personal gain," Macias said.
Though the mother is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, she will be allowed to stay in the country and serve as a witness at Valdiva's prosecution in La Costa, authorities said.
Valdiva is being held without bail in Orange County Jail and is expected to next appear in court Tuesday .
Orange County Sheriff's deputies arrested 32 year old Emanuel De La Costa-Valdiva for investigation of human trafficking, kidnapping and extortion after the incident.
On Thursday, a mother, who is a Mexican citizen, had a man sneak her child over the border into the U.S. while she crossed into the country by another route, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials
When it came time to return the 4 year old girl to her mother, the smuggler refused to return her, asking for more and more money, officials said.
Later that day, ICE authorities rescued the little girl, who is a U.S. Citizen, and returned her to her mother.
She was unhurt.
Joseph Macias of the Orange County ICE Office of Investigations says it isn't unusual for parents to arrange for their young children to be smuggled over the US-Mexican separately from themselves, though strongly cautions against such practices.
"Parents who contract with human smugglers should remember they are delivering their children into the hands of criminals, criminals who are often all too willing to put a child's welfare at stake for their own personal gain," Macias said.
Though the mother is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, she will be allowed to stay in the country and serve as a witness at Valdiva's prosecution in La Costa, authorities said.
Valdiva is being held without bail in Orange County Jail and is expected to next appear in court Tuesday .
