Córdoba: woman suffering from malnutrition rescued in Despeñaderos after 20 years of confinement

A 50-year-old woman was rescued in Despeñaderos, 50 km (31 miles) from Córdoba's capital, after being found with severe signs of malnutrition and neglect. Neighbors stated that they hadn't seen her for more than a decade and thought she had died. The judiciary is investigating whether she was locked up for 20 years and subjected to servitude.

The operation was carried out after an anonymous report was filed at the Women's Center, which alerted authorities to her captivity. Police officers and judicial personnel raided the home, where they found the victim in critical condition. The report led to a swift intervention by the prosecutor's office in Alta Gracia.

Prosecutor Alejandro Peralta Otonello indicated that the woman "looked like an 80-year-old person" and had injuries consistent with blows. He also revealed that she received food sporadically, which may have worsened her health condition.

Arrests and charges

As a result, her husband and one of her daughters were arrested, accused of aggravated neglect. In addition, three other children were charged, although they remain free. All of them have restraining orders and are prohibited from contacting the victim.

Investigators are trying to determine the exact duration of the subjugation, although the first pieces of evidence suggest it lasted at least two decades. Testimonies indicate that the woman rarely went outside and that the home was in unsanitary conditions.

A neighbor said she thought the woman had died, while another witness recalled that he hadn't seen her for 10 or 11 years. Despite this, an 11-year-old girl lived in the house, who is also receiving medical and psychological assistance.

An alarming medical condition

The victim remains hospitalized at the hospital in Alta Gracia, under the care of an interdisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Her physical and mental health are critical, and she has not been able to testify due to her condition.

Judicial sources indicated that, due to the neglect, her toenails had to be cut with a grinder. The woman was found on July 31, when police replied to a neighbor's call. Forensic experts are searching for evidence to confirm suspicions of domestic servitude and systematic violence.

Social life of the accused

Neighbors revealed that, while the woman remained locked up, the husband hosted friends for barbecues and the detained daughter worked as a municipal employee. "The man went to work, the children led a normal life," a witness stated anonymously.

Another neighbor said that, despite rumors of confinement, he didn't think the situation was so extreme. "I have no idea if she had any illness, but she never went outside," he said.

The case remains under investigation and the provincial judiciary is seeking to determine the degree of involvement of each defendant. Medical and psychological examinations, as well as testimonies, are expected to advance the charges.