Minors were forced into forced labor and punished with hunger
The researchers detected overcrowding, lack of hygiene, poor diet and a total violation of basic rights. In some cases, the boys slept next to dogs and were prohibited from maintaining contact with neighbors or outsiders, which prevented them from knowing what was happening
The scandal over the rescue of 13 exploited minors in a Florencio Varela home continues to add elements that aggravate the situation and reveal possible responsibilities within the municipalities involved. Justice is investigating not only the inhumane conditions in which the boys lived, but also an alleged cover-up by officials of the La Matanza children's system
.The case focuses on the “Eagle's Nest” home, located in the town of La Capilla. The investigation is being carried out by Public Prosecutor's Office No. 8 of Berazategui, headed by prosecutor Ernesto Daniel Ichazo, and was initiated after the complaint of one of the minors
.
According to the cause, boys were forced to do extremely demanding physical work for their age. Among the tasks, they had to prepare cement, lift stones and wood, carry out masonry work, cut reeds with machetes and maintain the property.
The days lasted throughout the day, even in the rain or in adverse weather conditions.In addition, minors were forced to take care of animals in unsanitary conditions, including cleaning the waste of more than 30 dogs and horses, using wheelbarrows and without adequate supervision.
The scheme included severe punishments: if they refused to perform tasks, they could be deprived of food or expelled outside during the night or on cold days. There were also situations of health abandonment, since minors had to work even when they were sick and without receiving
In addition, many of the children did not attend school regularly, deepening the deterioration of their situation and consolidating a pattern of isolation.
During the raids, carried out by the area of Cybercrime against Children and crimes related to human trafficking by the Buenos Aires Police, cell phones, computers and relevant documentation were hijacked. Those responsible for the household were arrested and investigated, although they refused to testify
.
One of the most serious points of the investigation points to a possible aggravated cover-up by two officials of the Zonal Service for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Children and Adolescents of La Matanza
.According to the case, they used internal information to alert those responsible for the household to judicial inspections. One of them would even have sent messages anticipating operations and providing key details to allow the removal of tests and the conditioning of the site before the
procedures.
