Federal immigration authorities have arrested three Portuguese women living in the United States illegally and charged them in connection with the death of a Rhode Island infant.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested the women, ages 32, 25, and 22, in Pawtucket on February 17th.
The three were initially arrested by the Pawtucket Police Department on suspicion of causing the death of a 1-year-old boy on February 11, which allegedly occurred under their control.
The women were charged with child endangerment, but were released on bail after arraignment by the District Court for the 6th District of Rhode Island. Pawtucket police also arrested a 25-year-old man, who is believed to be the boy’s father, and is being held at the Adult Correctional Facility in Cranston, Rhode Island.
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He is charged with manslaughter, three counts of second-degree child abuse and child endangerment. No suspects were identified.
Enforcement Removal Operation (ERO) Boston has arrested three undocumented Portuguese nationals who were recently charged with child endangerment following the death of a child. (ice)
“Innocent children have died as a result of the alleged crimes of illegal immigrants,” said Todd M. Lyons, director of ERO’s Boston field office. “Those who commit crimes against children must be held accountable. Undocumented aliens who pose a danger to New England communities cannot expect to escape the consequences of their actions.”
Pawtucket police responded to the home after receiving an emergency call and found the boy unresponsive with “significant bruising” to his face, ICE said. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
One of the Portuguese women arrived in the United States on a tourist visa in 1998 but had been in the country illegally for more than 25 years, according to ICE. The remaining two arrived in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, one in 2016 and the other in March 2022.
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Authorities said both men had violated their visas and stayed in the country longer than they were allowed.
Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE.
