Two young girls rescued from human smugglers in Phoenix (KNXV-Phoenix, AZ)

Two young girls rescued from human smugglers in Phoenix

Reported by: Christina Boomer
Email: cboomer@abc15.com
Last Update: 10/18 10:59 pm

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is searching for the parents of a 2-year-old girl found in a van of people suspected of crossing the border illegally.

MCSO released pictures of the girl hoping someone in the Valley can identify her.

They say deputies were in the area of 43rd avenue and Broadway when they spotted a van making a sharp u-turn in front of them.

They found 12 suspected illegal immgraints inside, two are believed to be human smugglers.

They also found the little girl.

None of the eight males or four females claimed the 2-year-old.

MCSO said the girl may have been kidnapped in Mexico and brought the US to be sold, or her she might have been held to extort smuggling fees, or her parents could be hostages themselves in a drop house somewhere, they just don't know.

This case comes three days after a task force found a 5-year-old girl in a suspected drop house.

IMPACT is a coordinated effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, and the Phoenix Police Department.

Acting on a tip they began surveillance at 5835 W. Mackenzie in Phoenix.

Authorities say inside was a network of human smugglers, one of which was making ransom calls, another was a guard.

They said the little five year old did not have any family members with her.

Detectives believe she may have crossed the border with a relative and got separated along the way.

They arrested six human smugglers, but still can't find the girl's family.

Both children are now in the care of Child Protective Services.