VICTORIA - Two mystery ships that brought smuggled migrants from China to the shores of British Columbia contained more than 50 children who were on board alone, without parents or guardians.

As many as 50 unaccompanied children among illegal migrants

The children and teenagers appeared in a court in Victoria Thursday. They were in handcuffs, awaiting a decision on whether they can be released.

The child migrants may be moved to group homes, eventually to foster homes.

The cost per child has been estimated at $8,200 a month. British Columbia is asking the federal government to pay for the care of the children.

Lois Boone, minister of children and families for British Columbia, can't understand why so many children would have made the risky voyage. The youngest of the children is 11.

She has checked with other countries and has been told the number of unescorted children illegally smuggled to Canada far surpasses similar incidents in other countries. "It certainly causes a great deal of concern," Boone said.

The first boat landed in Nootka Sound on July 20, with 17 unaccompanied teenage boys aged 14 to 18. The second boat stopped near the Queen Charlotte Islands on Aug. 11. The passengers waded to shore.