The National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence and Family (Senniaf) reported that five of the teenagers who escaped this week from the Integral Care Center (CAI) in Tocumen have been recovered by the authorities, while the search continues for another eight minors who remain missing. The location of these minors was achieved after the complaint filed by the general director of Senniaf, Lilibeth Cárdenas, which allowed the competent authorities to activate the Amber Alert. The escape of these 15 minors occurred last Tuesday, March 24, following an incident at the CAI in Tocumen. For years, the system has maintained delays in the comprehensive care of childhood, especially in centers like the CAI in Tocumen, where many minors enter after having been victims of neglect, abandonment, or abuse. According to Deputy Alexandra Brenes of the Commission for Women, Childhood, Youth and Family of the National Assembly, this type of situation reflects weaknesses in the protection system. 'Who is well cared for, protected, and accompanied does not leave a place like this,' she stated. 'We are talking about children under the custody and responsibility of the State, which makes the situation particularly delicate,' added Brenes. However, according to previous evaluations, this approach was not consistently reflected in the reports prepared. Currently, the authorities maintain active operations to locate the remaining young people, while investigations advance to clarify what happened inside the center. The case has reopened the debate on the comprehensive care received by minors under State guardianship and the need to strengthen supervision and accompaniment mechanisms. In this situation, the authorities have requested the support of the public and the families to provide information that contributes to their location.
