The Seventh Criminal Chamber of Córdoba set compensation totaling 601,606,324.44 pesos (1,326,730.13 dollars) for the families of the victims of the Neonatal. The ruling was announced Wednesday night, along with the sentences for the murders and attempted homicides that occurred in 2022. In addition to the criminal penalties, the court ordered the payment of millions for damages, therapeutic expenses, and loss of future opportunity.
The main defendant, Brenda Agüero, received a life sentence for the murder of five babies and the attempted murder of eight others. Alongside her, former officials were sentenced to between four and five years, although they will remain free for now. All those convicted must bear the costs of the civil trials together with the Province of Córdoba.
The compensation covers a variety of concepts, such as actual damages, moral damages, and future treatments for surviving children. The ruling also establishes the civil liability of several former officials who held hierarchical roles within the Neonatal. Among them are Liliana Asís, Alejandro Escudero Salama, Martha Gómez Flores, and Adriana Moralez.
Liliana Asís, ex directora del Neonatal, al escuchar el veredicto por la causa
Compensation for emotional and therapeutic damage
The amounts set for parents of deceased babies range between 45 and 60 million pesos (99,250.50 and 132,334.00 dollars), depending on each particular case. The court considered the pain suffered, the impossibility of developing the bond, and the permanent psychological harm. These figures also include recognition of actual damages and expenses derived from the necessary professional support.
Regarding the children who survived, payments were also set for non-pecuniary damage and other medical-related concepts. Some will receive more than 11 million pesos (24,263.57 dollars), in addition to future treatments and lost earnings due to functional sequelae. These measures aim to ensure comprehensive reparation that considers the physical, psychological, and social impact of the events.
All rulings stipulate that compensation must be covered by both the directly responsible parties and the Province. In specific cases, the court also declared former hospital authorities civilly liable for omission or negligence. The legal costs will be borne by the defendants, as established by the ruling that accompanied the criminal sentences.
Brenda Agüero, condenada por el asesinato de 5 bebés, junto con sus abogados
