Real Parents Sought for 9 Mexican Babies

U.S. authorities are attempting to assist Mexican officials in their search for the natural parents of nine children--all under age 2 and all apparently born in Mexico--who are believed to have been smuggled into the United States for adoption.

Illinois officials removed the children during the past 17 months from the Hudson, Ill., home of Bette and Charles H. Winks. Bette Winks and an alleged Mexican accomplice are being held in Tijuana’s municipal jail on charges of attempting to purchase a 1-year-old Mexican infant--in a case unrelated to the other nine--for $3,000. They have denied the charges.

John Hughes, a special agent with the anti-smuggling unit of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Diego, said Tuesday that photographs of the nine infants have been turned over to Mexican authorities since Winks’ arrest in Tijuana last month. The photographs, Hughes said, are expected to be used in radio, television and newspaper advertisements in Mexico aimed at locating the natural parents, and, ultimately, reuniting the families.

“The Mexicans want to make an appeal to see if anyone comes forward,” Hughes said. “Our main concern is finding the natural parents.”

Miguel Martinez Magana, an agent of the Baja California State Judicial Police, confirmed that Mexican authorities have received the photographs and are planning a media campaign.

Currently, the nine children are being cared for in licensed foster homes in Illinois, said a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. They are among 12 children taken from the couple during separate raids in September, 1985, and June, 1986, after U.S. immigration authorities provided state officials with information about the case, said Tom Teague, the agency spokesman.

After investigation, Illinois authorities said, the couple was found to have no legal right to the children.

The nine children are believed to have been smuggled into the United States from Mexico during 1985 and 1986, Hughes said. The Winkses never legally adopted the children, Hughes said.