Border children arrive in Ellis County

Saturday update: More kids will likely arrive Saturday, Ellis Co Sheriff Lt, James Saulter said. 

They got fewer kids than anticipated Friday.  Saulter believes the buses will arrive shortly after 3:00 p.m. Saturday. The camp will likely take in kids through Monday or Tuesday of next week.

There have been NO  incidents since the kids arrived, Saulter said.
 
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Friday update: The first group of unaccompanied children and teenagers caught crossing the southern border into the U.S. has arrived in Ellis County.

Just a few dozen arrived on buses Friday at the Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center.

Many more are expected; up to 500 in all, and hundreds more are expected to come in next week to Rockwall County.

The Ellis County Sheriff, Johnny Brown, says the first group is smaller than what he expected -- only 50 unaccompanied minors along with a group of government contractors, but more are expected at the church camp facility over a three-week period.  

“I'm very confident it'll go to plan,” said Brown. “This company has been really well managed. They're easy to work with. I don't have any concerns.”

Brown says officers will patrol the perimeter of the camp, supplementing the security already inside.  

But some remain skeptical of the operation.

Ellis County resident Penny Story called a small group together in Waxahachie Friday night, asking for volunteers to monitor the camp site and the vehicles that come and go. 

“The reason again that I would like the citizens to go on a rotating base and observe because we are told all kinds of things,” she said. “Well, let's just go see.”

“People are worried and I understand that,” said Brown. “We have it under control. We have plenty of security here. We have it under control. And there's nothing to worry about.”