Infant, Toddler Survive Arizona Desert After Human Smugglers Leave Them Behind To Die

An infant and a toddler, who were purposely left behind in the Arizona desert by human smugglers, were found alive by Border Patrol officers Friday, August 26, after a tip from detained migrants.

The children, ages four months and 18 months, were dumped near the Organ Pipe Cactus Monument by the Lukeville Port of Entry. Border Patrol officers and the emergency medical team searched for the children and found the 18-month-old crying and the infant unresponsive.

First aid procedures were immediately done to revive the baby, and the children were taken to the Abrazo West Campus Hospital for further medical evaluation. They were later discharged to the Border Patrol's custody, per ABC 15 Arizona.

Arizona site near the monument is often used as a crossing point

The Office of Refugee Resettlement was informed of the incident and will expedite the children's placement. No other details were released about the children's genders or country of origin or if they were smuggled with their parents or guardians.

Investigators are still trying to determine if the human smugglers are among the migrants caught on Thursday, August 25, who are now detained at the Tucson Border Patrol Sector.

According to CBS News, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is on the border of Mexico and is mostly a harsh and dry landscape with towering cactuses. Spanning 517 square miles, the area is quite remote and often used as a crossing point by human smugglers.

Due to its harsh conditions, however, human remains of those who have unsuccessfully crossed the borders may often be found in the area. The temperature was more relaxed on the day of the children's discovery due to the monsoon weather.

Crossing the border illegally was always a danger for migrants. Still, deadlier incidents have been increasing as human smugglers have been using riskier methods to get people inside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus acknowledged the problematic situation. He cited that they are trying to work towards a "fair and equitable" for those seeking refuge in America.

Arizona to invest millions of dollars into border security

Meanwhile, Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2317, allowing Arizona to improve its border security with $335 million in funding. This came after Pres. Joe Biden stopped the construction of border walls authorized by the Trump administration.

According to KOLD, piles of steel and unused construction materials are still by the border a year and a half later. Tim Roemer, the state's Homeland Security director, said that they expressed their issues with the White House in 2021, and since there has been no response nor action, the state leaders decided to take matters into their own hands.

Arizona's Department of Emergency and Military Affairs will oversee the completion of the border security improvements. Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck said they would work hand-in-hand with Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and various local enforcement agencies and consult with the experts on what security improvements must be prioritized.