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Mexico City Rescues 80 Girls From Casa de las Mercedes as Prosecutors Probe Abuse

A judge authorized the DIF-led removal after a 17-year-old reported sexual assault tied to irregular transfers of minors.

Overview

  • Officials said 80 girls and adolescents were relocated from two Casa de las Mercedes sites in San Rafael, with 47 taken from Schultz and 33 from Berriozábal, and are now under DIF care with medical, psychological and legal support.
  • Prosecutors reported the arrest of Aquiles “N”, identified as related to the shelter’s founders, who was linked to a criminal process for aggravated rape of the teenager.
  • The FGJCDMX confirmed two active case files: one for sexual violence and another examining possible trafficking linked to minors allegedly taken to private homes for domestic work.
  • Authorities imposed protective measures including judicially ordered transfers, police custody of linked properties, and suspension or sealing of shelter facilities, with human rights commissions present during the operation.
  • Shelter administrators publicly rejected the allegations as unfounded, while city officials emphasized the court authorization and said the victim alerted DIF in a letter after reporting threats and intimidation.