San Ysidro
A 22-year-old Mexican man trying to enter the United States with an 11-year-old runaway girl apparently committed suicide in a San Ysidro holding cell Monday night after San Diego police began investigating possible sexual abuse.
The man, who had earlier applied for a special agricultural permit to work in the United States, hanged himself with his shoelaces, said Cliff Rogers, Immigration and Naturalization Service deputy district director.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of relatives in Mexico’s interior, Rogers said Tuesday.
During INS questioning of the pair’s right to enter the United States about 2 p.m. Monday, the girl indicated she was a runaway from San Diego and had left the country with the man last week, Rogers said. The INS called the San Diego Police Department, which took her to the police station, then to Children’s Hospital to be examined, he said.
Police indicated they would return, probably to arrest the man, but he killed himself about 10:20 p.m., Rogers said, adding that the cells are checked periodically but are not under constant watch.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
