Texas mom arrested trying to deliver presents to kids in Mexico border camps

A Texas woman was arrested by Mexican authorities while trying to bring Christmas gifts to kids in border camps, her family says.

Anamichelle Castellano was detained Monday with another woman as they attempted to cross the US southern border from Brownsville, Texas, into Matamoros, Mexico, news station KTRK-TV reported.

The women reportedly had more than 300 gifts they were planning to give to children with pending asylum cases.

“I mean, this is Santa Claus coming in to give toys to the unwanted, and you’re doing what? You’re doing what? You’re threatening her for what?” Castellano’s father, Genaro Lopez, told the news outlet.

But Mexican authorities said the women had an illicit box among the gifts.

When the pair’s car passed through an X-ray station, a container of bullets was allegedly discovered in the vehicle. Castellano’s family said her husband had forgotten them there, according to KTRK.

Castellano was thrown in jail and charged with possession of ammunition, her family told the outlet. She has since been released, the station said.

“[Mexican authorities have been] kind of threatening her with federal prison, federal this and federal charges and we believe this is all a big set-up where they’re trying to see what they can get out of it,” her dad said.