During the early hours of Tuesday, a young mother identified as Garette Esperanza Leyva, 25, crossed the border between Mexicali and Calexico in search of urgent medical care for her baby, who was suffering from severe health complications. However, the child died shortly after entering U.S. territory.

The incident occurred at the downtown Mexicali port of entry in Baja California, after authorities received an emergency call reporting a woman walking with a baby in her arms. Officers from the Municipal Public Safety Department arrived at the scene and found the young mother already being assisted by border personnel and Calexico police officers.

According to Leyva’s statement, her baby was in critical condition, prompting her to cross the border in desperation, hoping to reach medical care in the United States. Unfortunately, the child passed away shortly after crossing, due to the severity of his condition.

Mexican authorities requested the involvement of the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office to gather information and follow proper procedures, including interviewing the child’s stepfather.

Initially, reports suggested that the baby had died before crossing the border, but State Attorney General María Elena Andrade Ramírez clarified that the infant still showed signs of life, though in delicate condition, when the mother attempted to enter the United States.

“We have unofficial information that the woman crossed with a baby about one year and one month old, very young and suffering health problems, seeking medical care in the U.S. Sadly, the child passed away on the other side of the border,” the attorney general said.