Migrants abandon toddler in Rio Grande, cross into U.S. while soldiers rescue her: officials

A 2-year-old girl was rescued over the weekend after being left in the Rio Grande by a group of migrants who sneaked into the U.S. while Mexican soldiers jumped into the river to save her, authorities said.

The adults were crossing the channel Saturday near Ciudad Acuña, which is right across from Texas, when they flagged a group of Mexican federal agents and soldiers, pointing them to a toddler who was fighting to stay afloat, Mexico’s National Immigration Institute said in a news release.

Authorities immediately went into the water and saved her from drowning.

But while the rescue was underway, the migrants who appeared to have abandoned the child “took advantage” of the situation and crossed into the U.S., leaving the girl behind, according to the release.

Honduran migrant gives birth while trying to cross border bridge from Mexico to U.S.

Officials said they also found a hidden plastic bag in the girl’s clothing with a copy of her birth certificate, which indicated that she was from Chile. Based on the information on the document, the migration institute learned the child and her family had applied for refugee status in Mexico, the agency said.

The toddler was provided first aid and a set of dry clothes and was believed to be in good condition. She was then turned over to welfare officials for protection and legal assistance, authorities said.

No one was arrested, but the investigation is ongoing.

Ciudad Acuña sits right across from the Texas city of Del Rio, about 150 miles west of San Antonio.