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k1079 BC-KS-Immigration-Child 12-08 0183

Driver accused of transporting immigrant children

Eds: APNewsNow. Will be led.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- A federal indictment in Kansas charges a Mexican man with transporting illegal immigrants, including children as young as 2 years old who were traveling alone.

Santos Tomas Ochoa-Bello faces one count each of unlawful transportation of illegal immigrants and unlawful re-entry into the United States after being deported.

The charges stem from a Nov. 24 stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol of a minivan driven by Ochoa-Bello after a traffic infraction in Barton County.

Prosecutors say half of the van's 12 passengers were children -- including a hungry 2-year-old girl -- traveling without their parents or legal guardians.