Boy Rescued From Human Smugglers, ICE says (KPHO-AZ)

Boy Rescued From Human Smugglers, ICE says
Officials: 9-Year-Old Boy Held for Four Months
POSTED: 3:41 pm MST September 20, 2010

PHOENIX -- A 9-year-old Ecuadorian boy could soon be reunited with his mother after being held captive in Mesa for four months.

He was rescued Friday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents.

On Thursday, agents received information from atip line about a boy, who reportedly became separated from his mother while they were illegally crossing the border in southern Arizona back in May.

According to investigators, the smugglers demanded $4,000 for the child's release, which his parents were unable to pay.

On Friday, Homeland Security officials in Ecuador arranged for agents in Arizona to discuss the case with the boy's mother and Ecuadorian officials.

That discussion lead investigators to an apartment in Mesa where investigators found and rescued the boy. Mario Fernandez-Fernandez was arrested. He appeared in court on Monday on human smuggling charges.

ICE is working with the Ecuadorian consulate to reunite the boy with his parents.