Report: Corpus Christi mother sold son for $2,500 to clear drug money debt

Monica Lopez | Corpus Christi

Show Caption Hide Caption How to recognize, report child abuse Representatives from Region 11 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services give tips on recognizing and reporting signs of child abuse. April is child abuse prevention month.

A Corpus Christi mother who is accused of selling her children wanted to settle a drug money debt, according to an arrest report.

Texas Department of Public Safety special agents on June 29 executed a search warrant at a home in Nueces County when they found a 7-year-old boy.

A woman told investigators she bought the boy from Esmeralda Garza for $2,500.

When investigators asked Garza about her child, she told them her son was with the woman who bought him.

"Garza stated that she and her boyfriend owe drug money and gave her child to (the woman) who pay $500 cash and clear the owe debt and and extra $700 when the 'custody paperwork' was signed," the report states.

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DPS Sgt. Nathan Brandley said the woman was "in the process" of selling her two daughters, ages 2 and 3.

The exact address where the warrant was executed was redacted by police.

Garza, 29, was arrested for selling a child which is a third degree felony. She was booked into Nueces County Jail with her bail set at $100,000.

An unidentified man and woman were also arrested, a news release states.

Brandley said the incident is still under investigation.

How to report abuse

By Phone: 1-800-252-5400

Online: Texas Abuse Hotline

You can call the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Abuse Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nationwide, or report with through a secure website and get a response within 24 hours.

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