The uncle of a young girl from Honduras, who was smuggled into the U.S. and reportedly suffered horrific abuse at the hands of her uncle and two individuals claiming to have “rescued” her, had been granted temporary protected status (TPS) by the Biden administration, officials revealed on Friday.
Felix Bustillo Diaz, a 49-year-old illegal immigrant from Honduras, along with Jose Gerber-Rivera, a 45-year-old from El Salvador, are facing accusations of sexually assaulting Bustillo Diaz’s grandniece. The arrests were made in the Houston area.
“The actions revealed during this investigation are deeply troubling and cannot be justified,” stated Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations in Houston.
“Our agents, alongside our partners, have worked relentlessly to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and held accountable for their heinous acts. The safety and security of victims remain our top priority,” he added.
Felix Bustillo Diaz and Jose Gerber-Rivera allegedly committed sexual abuse against Bustillo Diaz’s niece, according to authorities.
Rivera was apprehended with the help of the Montgomery County Constables office in The Woodlands, Texas, on November 4. Bustillo Diaz, previously detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration violations at the Montgomery Processing Center, has been transferred to the custody of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The girl was smuggled into the U.S. by her mother during the Obama administration and was left alone with Bustillo Diaz, her sponsor, authorities said.
Bustillo Diaz was granted TPS in 2024 despite a criminal record. His TPS has since been revoked.
The girl at one point escaped from Bustillo Diaz with help from Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37, both Houston-area residents who falsely told her they were rescuing her, authorities said. Instead, they allegedly zip-tied her, beat, tortured and starved the girl.
They also allegedly forced her to perform manual labor for them.
Brenda Garcia, 38, and Tania Garcia, 37, are charged with abusing a young Honduran girl. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
The girl said the sisters beat her, starved her and restrained her. According to court documents, she was bound with zip ties at night and, at times, tied to a chair for “stealing food.”
She also told police that Brenda Garcia took nude photos of her and wrapped her hands around her neck, strangling her while saying, “Just die already,” Fox News Digital previously reported.
She also told detectives she was hit with cables and a belt with a spike on it until she bled. Her mattress was taken away, and she was only allowed to sleep on a tablecloth on the floor while restrained, according to court documents.
Brenda Garcia also allegedly took photos and video of the girl as she showered and would call her names, prosecutors said. The child eventually escaped her restraints on Sept. 28.
Both women were arrested Oct. 3 on suspicion of felony injury to a child, unlawful restraint and invasive visual recording.
