AZ Mom Being Held in Mexican Prison Relying on 'Scriptures, Praying, Fasting' to Survive
An Arizona mother of seven arrested for alleged drug smuggling and possession in Mexico says that her faith is helping her get through this trying time. Yanira Maldonado, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, spoke about her faith and how she is faring while awaiting trial in Mexico.
"Reading the scriptures, reading the Book of Mormon, praying, fasting," Maldonado told CNN when asked how she was surviving her time in prison. "And all of the support that I've been getting from my family, my husband, my children, and everybody out there reaching out to help."
Maldonado was arrested last week after authorities reported finding 12 pounds of marijuana under her bus seat; she was charged with drug smuggling, but a judge is deliberating whether to throw out the charges and have her released. The Mexican officials who accused Maldonado were supposed to be in court on Wednesday but failed to show up. The proceedings have been rescheduled for Friday.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"We have high hopes," Anna Soto, Maldonado's daughter, told CNN. "So I'm just looking forward to that. Hopefully, Friday, I'm praying that she will be home and be set free."
"I'm a good mom," Maldonado said. "I love the gospel. I'm LDS. And we work hard to have what we have. You know, we're not rich, but we're very honest and we always do our best to help other people."
Maldonado was on her way home from her aunt's funeral in Mexico when the bus she was on was pulled over. Officials swept the bus for drugs and allegedly found marijuana under Maldonado's seat. However, it is possible that the charges are false and that Maldonado could be set free.
"I'm not a killer. I'm not a criminal. I'm just here by mistake because people are not doing their work. This is not right. I need to be back with my family. I need to be out of here. I need help," Maldonado said.
The U.S. State Department is monitoring the situation and has been in contact with the Maldonado family. They have promised to help the family in whatever way necessary to protect Yanira.
