The uncle of a Honduran girl who was brought into the United States, only to face severe abuse, was part of a group of undocumented immigrants that “rescued” her. This group was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden administration, officials announced Friday.
Félix Bustillo Diaz, 49, from Honduras, and Jose Garber Rivera, 45, a Salvadoran national, are accused of assaulting the girl, who is actually Bustillo’s niece. They were apprehended in the Houston area.
Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Houston, expressed concern about the situation, stating, “The conduct uncovered in this investigation is alarming and inexcusable. Our agents and partners have worked tirelessly to ensure these individuals are brought to justice and held fully accountable for their crimes. The safety and security of the victims is our top priority at HSI.”
Rivera was taken into custody on November 4, supported by the Montgomery County Constable’s Office in The Woodlands, Texas. Bustillo was already in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for immigration violations when he was moved to Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities revealed that the girl was smuggled into the U.S. during the Obama administration by her mother and was left in the care of Bustillo. His TPS was granted in 2024, despite a criminal background, though it was later revoked.
At one point, the girl managed to escape from Bustillo, with the supposed help of local residents Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37. However, rather than helping, they allegedly zip-tied her, tortured, and malnourished her.
They forced her into manual labor, which seems incredibly harsh and could leave anyone feeling trapped. The girl later reported that she was beaten and restrained, and even prevented from proper sleep.
Documents show she described being starved and tied to a chair at night to prevent her from getting food. She relayed disturbing details about being assaulted and filmed without her consent. Her escape occurred on September 28th.
The two women were arrested on October 3, facing serious charges including injury to a child and unlawful restraint. It’s disheartening to think of such abuse happening, especially to a vulnerable child.
