Waiting for Manuel

Sylvia Velasquez, whom later that day became Sylvia Cruz, waits on her children before heading to Auburn Correctional Facility to marry inmate Manuel Cruz.

Manuel Cruz has currently served 25 years of a 33-year prison sentence. The newlyweds plan to expand their family while Manuel is still incarcerated. Sylvia Cruz and her son, Camilo Velasquez, 12, cross the street from Connie's Deli on the way to vi… — Manuel Cruz has currently served 25 years of a 33-year prison sentence. The newlyweds plan to expand their family while Manuel is still incarcerated. Sylvia Cruz and her son, Camilo Velasquez, 12, cross the street from Connie's Deli on the way to visit Manuel at the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Manuel Cruz has currently served 25 years of a 33-year prison sentence. He was incarcerated at the age of 19 after accidentally murdering a clerk during a robbery. Years later, while in prison, 10-years was added to his sentence for the murder of a … — Manuel Cruz has currently served 25 years of a 33-year prison sentence. He was incarcerated at the age of 19 after accidentally murdering a clerk during a robbery. Years later, while in prison, 10-years was added to his sentence for the murder of a fellow inmate.

WAITING FOR MANUEL

PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA VOISARD

In 2010, Silvia Cruz abruptly left her home, job and the life she loved in Apartadó, Colombia, to move to Auburn, N.Y. so that she could be closer to Manuel Cruz, a convicted murderer and inmate at the Auburn Correctional Facility. The couple married in a civil service union inside the prison within a year of her move to the tiny rural New York town.

At the age of 19, Manuel Cruz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for 1st degree murder during an armed robbery. While in prison, 7 years were added to his sentence for the involuntary manslaughter of a fellow inmate.

A chance encounter brought the couple together while Silvia was in the United States visiting her sister. Manuel is the brother of Silvia's brother-in-law. She was invited to join her extended family on a trip upstate to the prison where Manuel was incarcerated. They say the connection was immediate.

After a series of letters and visits, Sylvia decided to leave behind her farm in Colombia, job as a paralegal, and move with her two teenage children, Daniela, 15, and Camilo, 12, to the United States to begin a life with Manuel.

To ease the transition to the USA, Cruz, then Valesquez, and the children, took up residence in a shared apartment with her sisters family in Long Island, N.Y., making trips to visit Manuel whenever possible. However, things turned sour with the extended family and they were soon evicted from the home.

The family was then faced with the decision of leaving the country and returning to their native Colombia or finding a new life in Auburn. A hasty decision was made to stay and local restaurant owners Connie Buschman, a native of Mexico, and her husband Doug intervened. They invited the destitute family into their home, provided employment and helped enroll the children in school.

Silvia and her children soon moved into a apartment across the street from the correctional facility so that she could make daily visits to visit Manuel. While imprisoned, Manuel and Silvia hope to expand their family as he finishes out the additonal 7 years added to his sentence.

After moving to Auburn Sylvia Cruz is now able to spend time with her new husband, Manuel Cruz every other day. Sylvia's son, Camilo Velasquez accompanies her to a visit at the prison, Saturday afternoon.

Sylvia Cruz prepares for the day as her son, Camilo Velasquez, 12, waits for her.

Sylvia Perez and her son, Camilo Velasquez spend their Friday evening together at their apartment. They recently moved into the home, located a block from the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Perperation for Connie's Deli begins in the early morning hours due to much of the mexican inspired cuisine being made from scratch. Sylvia Cruz begins her work day.

Sylvia Cruz waits with her son, Camilo Velasquez, 12, for the bus to arrive early Friday morning in the stairwell of their apartment building.

Sylvia Cruz escapes the rain through the backdoor of Connie's cafe early Friday morning. The correctional facility where Manuel is incarcerated can be seen behind.

Sylvia Cruz looks to Connie's Deli owner, Connie Buschman, her friends and employer while getting ready for the Friday afternoon lunch rush.

Life in Auburn has been a struggle for the family since their recent move. Sylvia Cruz waits in the doorway of Connie' Deli before beginning work.

Daniela Velasquez, holds a fifteenth birthday card made in prison by her new step-father, Manuel Cruz. Daniela's birthday is on Sunday Oct. 17, 2010. In Columbia a young woman's fifteenth birthday is usually marked by the cultural tradition of the Quinceanera. Daniela will have to wait a year before taking part in the tradition during a return trip to Columbia.

Doug Buschman fills out the specials board as Sylvia Cruz, Connie Buschman, and Sam French, 19, begin the day at Connie's Deli. Connie, a native of Mexico, and Doug helped the family to get on their feet after a quick decision to move to Auburn. They supplied a place for the family to live before finding them an apartment, helped enroll the kids in school and provided employment.

Daniela Velasquez, 14, and her mother, Sylvia Cruz surf the internet together at their home Friday evening.

Daniela Velasquez chats with her friend Daniel in Columbia. Daniela keeps close ties with her old friends.

Daniela Valesquez, 14, gets ready for school as her mother, Sylvia Cruz rests before heading to work, Friday morning.

Manuel Cruz has currently served 25 years of a 33-year prison sentence. The newlyweds plan to expand their family while Manuel is still incarcerated. Sylvia Cruz and her son, Camilo Velasquez, 12, cross the street from Connie's Deli on the way to visit Manuel at the Auburn Correctional Facility.