Calif. couple arrested for allegedly enslaving Mexican girl, 12

(AP) OCEANSIDE, Calif. - Authorities have arrested an Oceanside couple on suspicion of enslaving a 12-year-old Mexican girl who was lured to the U.S. with the promise of a better life.

City News Service says Inez Martinez Garcia, 43, and Marcial Garcia Hernandez, 45, were arrested Thursday on suspicion of sexual assault of a child. They are currently in federal detention. It is unknown if they have an attorney.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department says the arrest followed a two-and-a-half year cold case investigation.

The girl, who is now an adult, told investigators she was beaten, forced to do housework, care for the couple's three children, and have sex with the husband, and was later forced into prostitution.

She eventually was placed in protective custody and returned to Mexico. The case was reopened when she returned to the U.S.