(May 3, 2006)—Robert Doyle Maddox, 55, and Angela Galeana de Maddox, 34, of Blum in Hill County were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the smuggling of a 12-year-old girl from Mexico who was forced to baby-sit and do housework.

Robert Maddox was sentenced to 33 months in prison and his wife was sentenced to 84 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton said.

Waco Federal Judge Walter Smith, Jr. also ordered that both be placed on supervised release for three years after completing the prison terms and ordered that they pay $28,821.51 in restitution to the girl.

The couple pleaded guilty on March 7 to one count each of forced labor and transporting an alien.

Prosecutors alleged the couple traveled in December 2003 to Guerrero, Mexico where they arranged to smuggle the girl into the U.S.

“After arriving at the Maddox’s residence, the 12-year-old victim was instructed to do all of the domestic work inside and outside the home as well as care for the defendants’ small children,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a prepared release.

“Initially, the victim was allowed to share a bed with one of the Maddox’s daughters, but was later forced to sleep on the floor. The victim requested to attend school, but was denied by the defendants. In addition, the victim informed authorities that Angela de Maddox hit, slapped and kicked her, pulled her hair and attempted to force her to drink water from a toilet,” the release said.

“In addition, the defendants convinced the victim that she could not leave their residence and return home to Mexico. The defendants told the victim that she would suffer serious harm or physical restraint or even be jailed if she tried to leave,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

“Forcing a child to live under the conditions such as this girl lived is deplorable,” Sutton said.

Hill County Sheriff’s deputies discovered the girl in November after responding to the couple’s home in response to a report of a drug overdose.

“Today’s sentencing exemplifies the disregard for human dignity,” said Alonzo Pena, special agent-in-charge for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) San Antonio office.

“This young Mexican girl was promised a job to earn money to send back home, instead she was subjected to deprave and horrific circumstances that will remain a part of her life. ICE continues to work aggressively to identify and dismantle criminal networks involved in human trafficking abuses.”