A police operation in a rural area of the Figueroa Department, in the northeast of Santiago del Estero, uncovered a situation of extreme rights violations that had remained hidden for years.
In a house known to neighbors as “the cousins' house,” nine siblings were rescued after surviving in inhuman conditions, subjected to beatings, hunger, abuse, and various types of violence within their own family environment.
The operation was carried out following a complaint filed last month by the Civil Association Caring For Children and Mothers Victims of Trafficking. Following that intervention, the Justice system ordered a raid that led to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the parents, along with a son-in-law who was also involved in the case.
The operation.
Inhuman conditions
As the investigation progressed, details emerged that shocked the investigators. Upon entering the house, the officers encountered a brutal scene: the minors were sleeping on metal springs, without mattresses, and showed visible marks on their bodies.
In contrast to that situation, in a locked room, new mattresses that had never been used were found, highlighting the conditions of neglect in which the siblings lived.
One of the most critical cases is that of a young man with severe disabilities, who, according to sources from the investigation, was found tied to a bed, with bleeding wounds and signs of constant abuse.
According to testimonies gathered in the case, it was revealed that various family members beat him and recorded the assaults with phones “for fun.”
The overall health condition of the victims also raised alarms among medical teams. Two minors had to be urgently transferred to a health center due to malnutrition and dehydration, weighing barely 30 kilos, reflecting the level of prolonged neglect.
The operation.
The ages of the victims
The group of victims includes various ages and situations. Among them are three individuals aged 28, 26, and 25 with severe mental and motor health issues, a 16-year-old girl with disabilities, three girls aged 12, 8, and 4, and two boys aged 10 and 6.
At the same time, the investigation also focuses on the environment. The silence of the neighbors is considered a central element in allowing this situation to persist for so long without intervention. In this regard, the police are analyzing whether there was any type of complicity or cover-up in the area.
The case is being handled by prosecutors Jesica Lucas and Vanina Aguilera, under the supervision of Judge Sergio Guillet. The file investigates extremely serious crimes, including aggravated abandonment of a person, injuries, sexual abuse, and corruption of minors.
The most shocking accusations weigh on the father of the victims. According to the investigation, he sexually exploited his daughters in exchange for bottles of wine with people from the area.
During the raids, security forces seized several cell phones that will be subjected to forensic analysis in the coming hours. Prosecutors suspect that these devices may contain records of assaults and abuses, which could provide new key evidence for the case.
Meanwhile, the victims remain under specialized medical and psychological assistance, after having endured for years a context marked by neglect, violence, and systematic violations of their rights.
