The father of a San Diego boy found beaten and chained in Mexico was deported Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officials.
Pascual Castro had been deported at least nine times since 2007, most recently in 2013, according to ICE spokesperson Lauren Mack.
Castro came forward in late June after his son was found starving and injured with chains wrapped around his legs.
Castro, who lived in Escondido, had custody of his 5-year-old son. He would send $500 a month to his sister and brother-in-law in Mexico City to care for the boy.
However, Mack said Pasqual Castro-Analco was living in the U.S. illegally.
The boy’s aunt and uncle face child abuse charges, according to Mexican law enforcement authorities.
The boy's great-grandmother, who lives in Escondido, said enough is enough and that she wants the child to come live with her.
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"I think maybe I should've stepped forward and said 'I'd take him' but I had three (his siblings) already and I really thought he was going to be okay down there with family," Virginia Sanderson said.
The 5-year-old was born in Escondido and has dual citizenship. His parents are currently in a custody battle.
“I was surprised," said Sanderson, talking about the deportation of Castro.“I wondered if he was going to go all the way down to Mexico City where his son is."
His mother is a U.S. Citizen, but lost custody of her son when he was only 11-months-old.
The boy is currently in the hospital.
“He’s alone," said Sanderson. "A 5-year-old boy is alone. And he has to be thinking, 'what’s going to happen next?”'
