Child shelter report details, suicide attempt, hospital rape
A report presented by the deputy of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) Emelie García Miró to the Commission for Women, Children, Children and the Family of the National Assembly, detailed the case of an adolescent who was in a shelter who had been the victim of rape while she was admitted to the Nicolás A. Solano hospital, after a suicide attempt.
Key witnesses in the state shelters scandals subpoenaed by the committee did not appear
The director of the hospital, Yamilka Abad, told La Prensa that they are moving forward with the necessary steps to obtain the minor’s data and initiate an internal investigation. “We receive patients from all over,” said Abad, adding that in this particular case, they are “up in the air.” She stated that they have not had contact with any prosecutor’s office or authority in this regard.
However, on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) and the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family (Senniaf) they assure that the two cases detailed in the report presented by García Miró were already in the hands of the Public Ministry as part of the investigations carried out regarding the management of shelters.
Through a statement, the Senniaf detailed that between May and July of this year eight complaints have been filed “by the current administration.” Last March, Graciela Mauad was appointed director of Senniaf after the scandal of abuse of minors in different shelters was uncovered.
No-shows
Senniaf’s statement also said that Mauad did not go to the commission on Tuesday because she was dealing with migrant children.
Mauad, like Panama Governor Carla García, and former deputy director of Senniaf; Sara Rodríguez, former director of the entity; Markova Concepción, former Minister of Social Development; and Michael Olson, a former Senniaf official, were summoned to appear before the commission to answer a 21-question questionnaire, but they did not go. The meeting was rescheduled for September 21.
