The Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) has launched an investigation to determine if girls aged 8 to 9 years under the care of shelters have become pregnant within these centers. This action stems from an official note sent by Minister Beatriz Carles to the director of the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family, Lilibeth Cárdenas, requesting an urgent report on the existence of such cases. In the document, MIDES asks to clarify whether the minors entered the shelters already pregnant or if this occurred later within the state-supervised facilities. If the pregnancies are confirmed to have taken place inside the centers, the entity also requires knowing if the corresponding complaints have been filed with the competent authorities, as well as the current status of these investigations. The minister also requested to detail the actions taken to guarantee the physical and emotional health of the minors, along with providing documentary evidence that supports the information provided. The request is framed within the State's responsibilities for the protection of childhood and adolescence, particularly in cases where minors are under institutional custody. To date, the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family has not issued a public response to this request.
