Child Found After Disappearance to Stay With Aunt; Father Faces Abuse Probe

A two-year-old boy, who was missing for more than 24 hours, will now be under the provisional care of his paternal aunt, a decision made by the specialized child defender in Pedro Juan Caballero. This change comes after an initial consideration to place the child with his father was rescinded.

The shift in custody was prompted by the discovery that the child's mother was only 13 years old when she became pregnant. The public defender, Carolina Medina, stated that this indicates sexual abuse, with the child's father being the suspect. The child was born on June 29, 2023, and his mother turned 14 on May 3 of the same year, meaning she was a minor when conception occurred.

Medina reported that the child is hospitalized with mild dehydration, abrasions, and mosquito bites, but his condition is improving. Several tests are being conducted to fully assess his health status.

Given the circumstances, including the child escaping from home twice before, the case has been referred to the Public Ministry. Medina indicated that there are signs of criminal acts that endangered the child and violated his mother's rights. The prosecutor's office is expected to initiate a criminal investigation into the alleged sexual abuse, as the mother's age at the time of conception made it impossible for her to consent to the relationship.