Crime
Five children rescued from trafficking after U.S. most wanted couple captured by Mexican police
Five of the children, who were missing and in danger, were rescued during the arrest and taken into protective custody. The case has been described as the worst case of child abuse some investigators have ever seen
April 4, 2023 9:16am
Updated: April 4, 2023 9:16am
Edgar Salvador Casian-García and Araceli Medina, one of the most wanted couples in the United States, were arrested last week in Mexico, accused of torturing a seven-year-old boy to death and sexually abusing and trafficking other minors.
The couple had been on the run for two years and in February was included in the list of the 15 most wanted by the U.S. marshals. Their arrest was carried out by Mexican agents, and the couple have been charged by U.S. prosecutors in Washington state with aggravated murder, rape and assault on minors.
Five other children linked to the couple who were missing and endangered were rescued during detention and placed in protective custody.
The couple were suspected of abusing and trafficking their children. Two of the Casian-García daughters were found abandoned in Tijuana and showed signs of serious physical and sexual abuse.
An eight-year-old girl claimed to have survived "unimaginable torture" and rape at her Washington home. The remains of the couple's seven-year-old son later turned up in rural Benton County, Washington, and authorities suspect he was tortured to death and his body left behind.
The couple had crossed the border to flee from justice. They are now being held in Mexico and are expected to be extradited to the United States for criminal prosecution.
The case has been described as the worst case of child abuse some investigators have ever seen.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children praised the dedication of law enforcement and expressed relief that all five missing children have been safely rescued.
"We are so thankful that all five missing children have been rescued safely," said John Bischoff, who supervises the Missing Children Division at NCMEC, in a statement included with the agency's announcement.
"The crimes that Araceli Medina and Edgar Casian-Garcia are charged with are heinous and we commend the unwavering dedication of law enforcement," Bischoff's statement said. "This successful rescue is a testament to the critical importance of collaboration and community involvement in safeguarding our most vulnerable population."
