Adoption
San Diego Police Officers and FBI officials conducted an investigation of an illegal smuggling ring earlier today. It was confirmed the women involved were conducting a human trafficking ring.
Arrests of Julia Schultz, Francine Lopez, 22, and Marissa Gomez, 21 were made.
Each were charged with violation of the Protection of Victims of Trafficking Act, child endangerment, false imprisonment, alien smuggling, and Schultz received an additional charge of operating an illicit business.
Three infants were found in Schultz’s home upon entry. They are in San Diego’s protective custody now. The arrests are expected to stop the immediate actions in San Diego, but more arrests are expected here, as well as in other states as information is found.
David Rivera is already a known suspect in the case. He is a U.S. citizen, found across the country in New Jersey. A second suspect, Oriela Sanchez, is a mother of two of the children, and immigrated to the U.S.
The smuggling of Mexican babies was discovered to be in operation for five years. Based in the San Diego area, the suspects would buy infants and, according to the source, would sell them to couples all over the U.S.
Babies were procured by the organization through ads in the newspaper. The ring would seek women with babies who sought adoption. The women were normally single, still pregnant, and destitute. They had no other options.
The women were offered full compensation for the duration of their pregnancy in exchange for the baby. Participants were also paid after the birth of their children, according to the law enforcement official.
After birth, the babies were smuggled into San Diego and kept in the home of Julia Schultz, later identified as the head of the smuggling ring. Using attorneys, Schultz located parents willing to pay but unfit to adopt elsewhere.
Parents who adopt from Schultz sometimes already had several children, or made too little, making them unfit for other adoption agencies to give them a child. They also were sometimes considered too old. Schultz was not as picky.
If a couple had money and liked an infant the adoption proceeded for up to $15,000. Forged papers, included a fake birth certificate was given upon “finalization.” The law enforcement official said Schultz has sold several hundred babies.
Most damaging, perhaps, are the stories told by the victims in this case. The women who gave up their infants to Schultz’s care opened up about their painful experiences with the adoption ring and her demeanor.
Maria Esquivel, a victim, says she got pregnant and was alone living in Tijuana. She called the number on advice from a friend and because she was away from family, she agreed to Schultz’s offer. She was paid $200.
Another victim, Cipriana Gomez, was devastated. She has two children already and barely makes end meet as a single parent. She wanted to meet the couple who adopted her daughter and even picked out a name.
Angela Ramirez, only 18, thought she would keep her child, but was encouraged by her aunt to pursue adoption. Schultz assured Ramirez her son would have an easier life in the U.S.
The director of Babies International, Cynthia Thomas, stated situation was human trafficking. She was appalled prospective parents were not held to standards such as background checks or home visitations and helpless infants could be potentially harmed.
