Overview
- Brenda Castro of Laredo was arrested on Dec. 19 after a high-speed pursuit near Rio Bravo ended with her entering the Rio Grande while carrying an infant.
- Authorities say Castro was a passenger in an SUV driven by her husband, who swam to Mexico and remains at large.
- Texas DPS charged Castro with felony human smuggling and endangering a child, and officials identified both adults as U.S. citizens.
- Troopers found five migrants in the vehicle and referred them to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.
- Dashcam and bodycam footage released by DPS shows the chase and the moment Castro passes the baby to officers; the child was placed in authorities’ care, with one outlet reporting custody later went to a family member.