3-Year-Old Immigrant Allegedly Sexually Abused in Federal Custody

Family fights for daughter's release, uncovers disturbing allegations

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:57am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An immigrant family is grappling with the ordeal suffered by a 3-year-old girl who endured alleged sexual abuse while her father fought for five months for her release from federal custody after she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her mother. The girl was placed in a foster home, where she said she was sexually abused by an older child, but her father was not immediately informed of the allegations.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrant children in federal custody, with allegations of abuse and prolonged detention times that can have traumatic impacts on young detainees. It also raises questions about transparency and communication between authorities and families during these cases.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the 3-year-old girl said she was sexually abused multiple times by an older child in the foster home where she was placed after being separated from her mother at the border. A caregiver noticed the girl's underwear was on backwards and she then disclosed the abuse, which caused her to bleed. Federal officials told the father there had been an 'accident' and the girl would be examined, but did not provide further details. The older child accused of the abuse was later removed from the foster program.

  • The girl and her mother illegally crossed the border near El Paso on September 16 of last year.
  • The girl was placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) after being separated from her mother.
  • The alleged sexual abuse occurred over the five months the girl spent in federal custody before being released to her father.

The players

The 3-year-old girl

An immigrant child who crossed the border with her mother and was placed in federal custody, where she allegedly suffered sexual abuse.

The girl's father

A legal permanent resident in the U.S. who fought for five months to have his daughter released from federal custody and was not immediately informed of the alleged abuse.

Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

The federal agency responsible for the care of immigrant children in shelter or foster settings.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The parent agency of the ORR, which was named in the child's lawsuit.

Lauren Fisher Flores

The lawyer representing the 3-year-old girl in the lawsuit against the ORR and HHS.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'To have your child abused while in the government's care, to not understand what has happened or how to protect them, to not even be told about the abuse, it is unimaginable. Children deserve safety and they belong with their parents.'”

— Lauren Fisher Flores, Lawyer representing the 3-year-old girl

“'Increasingly, we have to turn to the federal courts to challenge these harmful legal violations and demand that children be released.'”

— Lauren Fisher Flores, Lawyer representing the 3-year-old girl

“'This represents yet another version of family separation. A bipartisan Congress designed protections around the simple principle that children should be released to their family quickly and safely. This administration has been consistently flouting its legal obligations to release children to their families, profoundly jeopardizing children's health and well-being.'”

— Neha Desai, Managing Director, Children's Human Rights and Dignity at the National Center for Youth Law

What’s next

The girl's case is now moving through the immigration court system as she lives with her grandparents in Chicago. Attorneys are continuing to challenge the Trump administration's policies that have led to prolonged detention times for immigrant children.

The takeaway

This disturbing case highlights the ongoing trauma and abuse that some immigrant children face while in federal custody, underscoring the urgent need for reform and greater transparency in the treatment of vulnerable minors in the immigration system.