HOUSTON – The little girl injured in a crash while allegedly being smuggled into Houston has been released from the hospital.
The 4-year-old girl, Briana, was being treated at Memorial Hermann Hospital after suffering a skull fracture and broken arm a few days ago during a car crash along I-10 near Columbus.
"She's up and about and she's smiling," said Tejal Patel of Child Protective Services.
Police said at the time of the crash she was in the car with Tidurcio Rivera who was in the process of smuggling her from San Antonio to Houston. Rivera was later arrested after admitting he was transporting the girl on behalf of her parents who he said are in Mexico.
Children's Protective Services is now investigating after a man from Minnesota claimed to be the child's father. They're still trying to locate her mother.
CPS is trying to coordinate a DNA test to determine if he is a match. However, even if it turns out the man is Briana's father, CPS says the little girl still won't be able to go home with him until a judge signs off.
"There are still so many things we need to know like what kind of home will she then going to? What is her life going to be like?" Patel said. "Our priority is the welfare of the child."
A court date has been set for May 16. For now Briana is living in a foster home.
CPS has several ways you can help Briana:
Items can be dropped off at the BEAR office located at 2223 W. Loop South Houston, TX 77027 during business hours. Alert staff that the donation is for Briana. Please note that they only accept new and unused items for children in CPS care.
Contributors who would like to make a donation via credit card can contact the CPS office at 713-940-3087 and the staff at BEAR can help. CPS also accepts contributions online at their website: www.bearesourcehouston.org. Donors can log in and make a donation to the Annual Fund. There is a section where one can add a note. In the area just instruct the donor to say the donation is for Briana.
Checks can be made payable to BEAR. The donor should note that the donation is for Briana.
Checks should be mailed to the CPS Post Office Box:
BEAR
P.O. Box 27701-501
Houston, TX 77227