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Child from India found dead in Arizona desert

Posted at 10:43 AM, Jun 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-30 12:47:16-04

TUCSON, AZ — U.S. Customs and Border Protection says an Indian child was found dead in the desert near Lukeville on Thursday morning.

Officials say the child, believed to be a 6-year-old girl from India, was traveling with four others when they were dropped by human smugglers.

Officials came in contact with two women from India who said they came to the United States with another woman and two children, but they became separated.

The women were taken into custody and a search began for the other woman and two kids. Within several hours, officials say one child's body was found about 17 miles west of Lukeville.

The area is reportedly "rugged desert wilderness with few backcountry roads and little to no resources."

The woman and second child, an 8-year-old girl, were reportedly located late Thursday night when they crossed the border back into the United States and surrendered to agents.

The pair was transported to a hospital for treatment for dehydration.