SUSAN CARROLL
The Arizona Republic

Two Arizona women, including one from Tucson, have been sentenced to prison for trying to smuggle three children across the U.S.-Mexico border for $50 per child.
U.S. District Judge Frank Zapata on Thursday sentenced Maria Christina Baez, 28, of Tucson to 16 months in prison and Laura Gastellum, 32, of Naco to 15 months. The women pleaded guilty to smuggling conspiracy charges in December.

Baez and Gastellum told immigration officials at the Douglas port of entry Aug. 22 that all of the children they were bringing across the border in a van were theirs and were U.S. citizens.

According to court records, Baez claimed two Mexican boys, ages 4 and 7, were her children, while Gastellum tried to pass off a 3-year-old as her daughter.

The women had made arrangements with a man named "Juan" and expected to be paid $50 for bringing the Mexican children into the country, according to court records.

The women faced sentences ranging from 15 to 21 months.