In southern Mexico, twenty-three children have been rescued after being abducted and forced to sell handicrafts in a tourist town.
The children, ranging in age from three months to fifteen years old, were abducted from their families and forced to work under threat of “physical and psychological violence.” They were released from a house in San Cristobal de Las Casas. Three women were arrested on human trafficking and forced labor charges.
The rescue mission began after the attorney general’s office launched a search for Dylan Esau Gomez Perez who went missing on June 30 while at a market with his mother. The 2-year-old was taken by two children, a boy spoke with the toddler first, then a girl led Dylan out of the market and handed him over to a woman.
Authorities confirmed Dylan was not among the children.
Where the children were found, sits on the border with Guatemala. Tourists visit for its biodiversity and climate; it is home to some of the most impressive Mayan archeological sites and a large indigenous population. It is one of Mexico’s most diverse regions in culture and nature.
