Matanzas Hospital reports on the death of a minor due to infanticide: He arrived with multiple bruises

The pediatric hospital Eliseo Noel Caamaño in Matanzas confirmed that the minor Roberto Carlos Suárez Machado, just 2 years old, passed away this Saturday after being admitted with clear signs of physical abuse.

According to the official local media Girón, the authorities activated child care protocols amid suspicions of a possible infanticide by the mother, identified as Amarilis, who resides in the Naranjal neighborhood.

Dr. Anaelis Santana Álvarez, the director of the hospital center, detailed to that newspaper that the infant was admitted on Wednesday, July 16 around noon, brought in by his mother at the urging of a concerned neighbor.

The woman had noticed that the child appeared to be drowsy and in poor condition and that, according to his mother, he had been in that state for more than 24 hours.

The minor arrived in critical condition: drowsy, with fever, respiratory difficulty, and “visible signs of trauma on the body, such as several bruises”.

The doctors admitted him directly to the intensive care unit and, after a quick evaluation, suspected septic shock as an initial diagnosis.

However, the situation worsened. The child's distended abdomen led the medical team to conduct imaging studies, which confirmed the presence of internal perforations.

He underwent surgery, but he never managed to stabilize. The little one passed away at 6:05 a.m. on Saturday, July 19.

In light of the evident signs of violence, the hospital immediately contacted the child welfare services of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), who came to the center and opened an investigation.

The hospital director explained that, as mandated by law, doctors must report any cases showing signs of child abuse so that authorities can take action.

“By profession, we are witnesses,” stated Santana. “In this case, the little boy did have some bruises.”

The local media reported that Cuban legislation includes the protection of children as a fundamental principle.

Article 5 of the Family Code establishes that the family is the primary guarantor of the enjoyment and security of minors' rights. Any violations of these rights will be severely punished by the competent judicial authorities.

The community of Matanzas is in shock over the incident, which has sparked a wave of outrage on social media. Messages demanding justice are multiplying as the official investigation continues.

The initial information shared on social media was accompanied by messages of outrage and grief from relatives, who claim that the minor was a victim of repeated violence.

The reports also indicate the possible involvement of the child's stepfather, who is believed to have been an accomplice or a witness to the abuse without intervening to protect the minor.

"You should also pay with the death penalty," wrote a visibly upset user, accusing the man of having acted with negligence or even having directly committed mistreatment.

Neighbors from the Naranjal Norte neighborhood and members of the child's educational community expressed their grief, recalling that the minor had received care and affection from his teachers at the preschool he attended.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Infanticide Case in Matanzas