Couple accused of buying babies to sell

(CNN) -- A man and woman bought more than a dozen babies in Mexico so they could sell them in the United States for a profit, Mexican police said Wednesday.

Amado "Bill" Torres of Harlingen, Texas, and Maria Isabel Hernandez of Mexico confessed to arranging more than 15 illegal adoptions in the last 11 years, according to Mexican authorities.

The two were arrested in the northeast city of Reynosa, Mexico, after the father of a newborn told authorities his 23-day-old child was supposed to be brought to the United States.

Police said the baby's mother, Reyna Perez, was also arrested. The child is in the father's custody.

According to police, Hernandez, 25, would approach pregnant women in Mexico. With the help of Torres, 64, she convinced them their children would have better lives with families in the United States.

The couple would offer $3,000 for each child and pay the mother's food and medical bills while she was pregnant, authorities said.

Mexican investigators said an attorney who worked with the couple in the United States said the adoptions were arranged for "humanitarian reasons."

CNN was unable to contact the attorney Wednesday evening.

All About Mexico • Human Trafficking