CBP: Body believed to be 7-year-old girl from India found near Lukeville

A child, believed to be a seven-year-old girl from India, was found dead by Border Patrol agents 17 miles west of Lukeville, Ariz., Thursday morning.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the girl had allegedly been traveling with four others who were dropped near the international border by human smugglers. The smugglers had ordered the group to cross through the area who authorities said is a dangerous location.

Two adult women, of India, shared the previous information with Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents and explained how they had come to the United States. They also claimed three others, a woman and two children, became separated from them hours earlier.

The two women were taken into custody by agents who searched the area north of the international boundary, seven miles west of Quitobaquito Springs.

Within hours, agents found the seven-year-old girl’s remains and were recovered by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Other agencies like Aircraft and helicopters from National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations were called out to expand the search. Additional agents from Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Unit, the Ajo Border Patrol Station, and personnel from the Bureau of Land Management helped search the area on foot.

According to CBP, late Wednesday night, Border Patrol agents found footprints showing the remaining two members of the group crossed back into Mexico.

CBP and Mexican authorities continue to search the area for any associated persons. N o additional members of the group have been located on either side of the border, CBP officials said.

“Our sympathies are with this little girl and her family,” said Tucson Chief Patrol Agent Roy Villareal. “This is a senseless death driven by cartels who are profiting from putting lives at risk.”

According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature in the area yesterday was approximately 108 degrees.