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


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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Texas 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. 

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"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.

DPS Sgt. Nathan Brandley said the Corpus Christi 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.

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Follow Monica Lopez on Twitter: @CallerMonica