Teacher arrested in child selling

El Paso Times ^ | January 29, 2003 | Corrie MacLaggan

[FITZ]

A fourth-grade teacher at Ysleta Elementary School is one of two El Pasoans arrested last week on suspicion of trying to sell someone else's child, Ysleta Independent School District officials said.

Roberto Cortez, 46, a five-year district employee, has been suspended with pay, school district officials said Tuesday.

Cortez and Alicia Alvarado, 27, who live at the same address in the 7300 block of Dale Road, were arrested Thursday night and charged with selling a child, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to a written statement by the Texas Department of Public Safety, or DPS.

Cortez and Alvarado have been released on $25,000 bail each, FBI officials said.

The FBI and the DPS are investigating the case.

In its statement, the DPS said poor and homeless people are being targeted by such child-selling schemes. "Unfortunately, these people may be coerced into believing their child will be offered a better lifestyle," the DPS said.

"We want to be sure that if anyone knows about the sale of a child, they notify us," said Lucila Torres, spokeswoman for the DPS. "It is definitely illegal."

Torres asked that anyone with information on the case call the DPS, 849-4115, or the FBI, 832-5000.

Leo Benitez, whose nephew attends Ysleta Elementary, said he was shocked that a teacher there was suspected of such a crime.

"There's a fear that you have knowing that the children are going to that school," he said.

[jraven]

She could have sold it faster and gotten a better price on eBay....

[dd5339]

Boy! And I thought my school teachers were harsh! All they did was beat me when I mis-behaved, not sell me into involuntary servitude.

Hey Cav, no getting any ideas from this. Your wife would probably shoot you!

Semper Fi

[battlegearboat]

I'm going to Sick Bay.

[FITZ]

Apparently this couple was going door-to-door asking people if they wanted to sell any of their kids and apparently found someone who did.

[William Terrell]

After they hit puberty, I would have sole any of my three. Cheap.

[JimRed]

Gee, lawyers do it all the time, but they call it "adoption services".

[BlueLancer]

"After they hit puberty, I would have sole any of my three. Cheap."

Yeah, but, after puberty, Scott Ritter wouldn't have wanted them.
8')

[Vic3O3]

Ah...more joys of life in the Lone Star State!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

If you don't raise teachers' salaries they will sell your children.

[FITZ]

I'm kind of lucky they didn't come to my door on the wrong day like when my kids weren't picking up after themselves and fighting.

[FITZ]

Notice they suspended the teacher WITH pay!

[mhking]

"I want to buy your women...the little girl...your daughters. Sell them to me. Sell me your children!" --Jake Blues

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[Aquinasfan]

If you don't raise teachers' salaries they will sell your children.

That would make a great slogan for the NEA.

[Woodstock]

arrested last week on suspicion of trying to sell someone else's child, ...

As if it would be better to sell your own child?

[F16Fighter]

Wonder if the perp is only enforcing the NEA's new curriculum?

Afterall, it is they who "own" our children -- NOT the parents...

[dennisw]

Bringing Mexico to the United States.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

That would make a great slogan for the NEA.

Of course if you do raise teachers salaries they will still sell your children...the Liberal agenda.

[Redcloak]

I dunno... Perhaps he's onto someting. One can reduce classroom overcrowding and raise money for school supplies in one fell swoop. I think that he's looking like Teacher Of The Year material!

[FITZ]

They only had to offer the "mother" a used car and some cash. I haven't heard how much cash she was willing to sell her child for. The child broker must have had a buyer for the child ----14 month old----because they aren't convicted just for buying one but for selling one.