ARGENTINA

Loan Peña turns 6 years old and remains missing: the pain of a family without answers

The child disappeared in June 2024 and today turns 6 years old. The human trafficking case is progressing, but nobody knows where he is

This May 8, Loan Danilo Peña should be celebrating his sixth birthday. But the child has been missing for almost eleven months and justice still hasn't provided clear answers.

Loan was last seen on June 13, 2024, in the town of 9 de Julio in Corrientes. That day he went out to look for oranges with his uncle and other people. He never returned.

A smiling boy in a red apron holds a camera figure against a background decorated with a hot air balloon and clouds.
Loan Danilo Peña | La Derecha Diario

The search activated the Sofía Alert protocol and mobilized national forces.

The investigation moved to federal jurisdiction

The idea of a disappearance was quickly ruled out. Justice suspects it is a case of human trafficking.

The case remains open with multiple lines of investigation, but without firm leads on the child's whereabouts.

Marcha por Loan
The justice system suspects it is a case of human trafficking | La Derecha Diario

Who are charged?

So far, seven people have been charged in the case:

  • María Victoria Caillava and her husband, former military Carlos Pérez, accused of human trafficking.
  • Antonio Benítez (Loan's uncle), Daniel Ramírez, and Mónica Millapi, charged with abandonment of a person.
  • Walter Maciel, former commissioner of 9 de Julio, faces charges of concealment.
  • Laudelina Peña, Loan's aunt, was accused of false testimony and child abduction.

The central hypothesis is that there was a coordinated maneuver to abduct the child, taking advantage of family trust and the rural context.

Six people in a photo collage, each in a different frame, with varied expressions.
Who are indicted? | La Derecha Diario

Conflicts between lawyers and judicial scandals

The case also became media-focused due to fights between high-profile lawyers. Fernando Burlando represented Loan's family. Miguel Ángel Pierri represented former commissioner Maciel.

There were cross-complaints for obstruction and even threats of removal from the case.

Lawyers under scrutiny

Lawyer Juan Pablo Gallego was accused of keeping 12 million pesos intended for an expert report that was never conducted.

A man in a suit and tie speaking with a headset microphone.
Juan Pablo Gallego was reported for keeping 12 million pesos | La Derecha Diario

Figures like Ricardo Osuna and Gustavo Briend, regulars in media cases, also joined the case.

Arrests for interfering in the investigation

In a parallel case, federal judge Cristina Pozzer Penzo ordered the arrest of nine people. Among them, lawyers and a police officer, accused of obstructing the progress of the investigation.

One of those arrested was Nicolás "El Americano" Soria, who claimed to work for foreign intelligence agencies.

➡️ Argentina

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