(Cupventi.com) – In a harrowing incident that has shaken the community of Porter, Texas, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant has been apprehended and charged by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in relation to the death of a three-month-old baby. Melvin Jesus Aquino Enriquez, a resident of the area, faces charges of injury to a child and assault-family violence following the tragic event that unfolded on April 21.
The authorities were first alerted to the situation on April 14, when they received reports of an injured child at a home located in the 25000 block of Needham Road, where Enriquez was staying. Responding swiftly, law enforcement initiated a detailed investigation to uncover the sequence of events leading to the infant’s severe injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the young child succumbed to their injuries on April 24.
In the wake of this devastating outcome, the Special Victims Unit of the MCSO is awaiting autopsy results which are expected to shed further light on the exact causes leading to the infant’s untimely demise. Depending on these findings, officials might consider levying additional charges to address the gravity of the incident comprehensively.
Currently, Enriquez is being held on a $75,000 bond. In a related development, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him owing to his immigration status. According to a spokesperson from ICE, Aquino Enriquez, identified as a previously deported Mexican national, had re-entered the United States illegally at an undetermined time and place, without undergoing proper inspection or authorization by immigration officials.
This is not the first time Enriquez has crossed paths with U.S. immigration authorities. On March 4, 2020, he was encountered by ICE officers at the Harris County Jail in Texas following his arrest on charges of criminal trespass. Subsequently, an immigration detainer was issued. Following a transfer to the custody of ERO Houston, he was placed into immigration proceedings. An immigration judge later ordered his removal, which was executed on September 17, 2020.
However, Enriquez managed to illegally re-enter the U.S. at a later date. His latest encounter with immigration officers occurred on April 15, 2024, after his arrest over allegations of assaulting a woman and her infant, leading to another detainer being lodged at the Montgomery County Jail.
The sheriff’s office, expressing profound sorrow over the tragic incident, has committed to pursuing justice for the young victim. “Our office, alongside the community, mourns the tragic loss of this young life,” said a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served and are determined to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.”
The case continues to develop as the community grapples with the loss and the legal proceedings unfold, highlighting significant issues regarding immigration enforcement and public safety.