Father Loses Appeal with U.S Courts, Girl Sent Back to Mexico

Mexico, Mexico City. Giant Mexican flag in the Zocala Squarewith the National Palace behind.

Elena Castillo, a 6-year-old New York City girl, was handed a Scooby Doo doll in court Tuesday after a federal judge ordered her return to her mother in México.

Her father, Jose Luis Rivera Castillo, lost an appeal to send the first grader to her mom. International law stipulates Mexican courts have jurisdiction over Elena's custody.

She was smuggled into the United States in 2010, but her mother, Angelica Mota, was arrested at the border and deported.

Elena boarded a plane for Mexico in the company of two guardians.

Castillo told the Daily News he'll continue to fight for his daughter's custody. He was in court with his girlfriend and their 9-month-old baby.