Two young girls who had been abducted by their mother in 2023 have been recovered in Mexico and returned to the United States. The U.S. Marshal’s Service reports that Mexican authorities, working with the agency, located the children at a maternal grandmother’s residence in Ciudad Juarez on August 27.
According to the report, the two girls were repatriated on September 5 and handed over to the Children, Youth, and Families Department at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. Their living situation would be assessed further.
“The United States Marshal Service in the District of New Mexico is committed to safeguarding our most valuable resource: children,” said U.S. Marshal David O. Barnett Jr. “The recovery of these children demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our federal, local, and foreign partners.”
According to the U.S. Marshals, Jennifer Burciaga had taken her two daughters from their paternal grandmother’s house in Sunland Park on October 11, 2023. The father had custody of the children at the time.
The paternal grandmother filed a missing person report with the Sunland Park Police Department on December 4, 2023. She alleged that Burciaga had taken the girls while they were playing outside.
On July 29, 2024, the Sunland Park Police contacted the U.S. Marshals Service for assistance in locating the children. The District of New Mexico Southwest Fugitive Team developed information on August 27 and shared it with Mexican authorities.
The Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team consists of agents from various agencies, including the USMS task force, the Sunland Park Police Department, Border Patrol, Department of State, CYFD, Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones de Chihuahua, and Desarrollo Integral de la Familia. It is unclear if the father will retain custody of the children.
According to the U.S. Marshals, Jennifer Burciaga was arrested in December 2023 for another crime and released from jail on August 30, 2024. The maternal grandmother was taken into custody by Mexican authorities.
It’s not clear whether Jennifer Burciaga will face additional charges. The two girls have been returned to the United States and their living situation will be assessed further. This is an example of the dedication demonstrated by federal, local, and foreign partners in safeguarding children. The U.S. Marshal Service is committed to ensuring the safety and security of children, as they are our most valuable resource and best hope for the future. The recovery of these children is a testament to this commitment. Note that there was no change in the tone or intent of the original text, only a rephrasing of its content to meet the requirements of the requested response. Please let me know if you would like me to make any adjustments. If you need further assistance or have other requests feel free to ask. I will be happy to help. I am here to assist you with any questions or tasks you may have, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else I can do for you.
Source: Las Cruces Sun News
