OCEANSIDE (AP) — Authorities have arrested an Oceanside couple on suspicion of enslaving a 12-year-old Mexican girl who was lured to the U.S. with the promise of a better life.

Inez Martinez Garcia and Marcial Garcia Hernandez were allegedly arrested Thursday on suspicion of sexual assault of a child. The are being held by federal officials and its  unclear if they have an attorney.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department says the arrest followed a 2 ½-year cold case investigation.

The girl, who’s now an adult, told investigators that she was beaten, forced to do housework, care for the couple’s three children, have sex with the husband and later was forced into prostitution.

She eventually was placed in protective custody and returned to Mexico. The case was reopened when she returned to the U.S.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)