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Thursday 5 June 2014

The Crunching of Teeth

In June 5, 2009 a fire that spread to a day-care centre (GuarderĂ­a ABC) in Hermosillo, Sonora resulted in the death of 49 toddlers and infants. More than 70 other children and 6 adults were injured. The fire was first ruled as an accident because of a malfunctioning air conditioning system in the tire warehouse next door, where it started and spread. No injuries or deaths were reported from this place, as it was empty at the time of the events.

After an exhaustive assessment led by the president of Associated Fire Consultants, however, the blaze was determined to be intentional. The only person arrested, Delia Irene Botello Amante, was released in January 1st of this year with the excuse of not enough evidence. She was arrested in June 2011.

The June 5th Citizen's Movement for Justice, commonly referred to as the ABC Parents' Movement, formed shortly after the tragedy. They are still looking for answers and for justice to be served; at the same time, they are trying to pass a general law for regulating safety in day-care centres called the June 5th Law.

A close friend of one of my family members was the psychologist in charge of helping parents identify the bodies of their children. Five years later, she decided to share what she lived that day. They e-mailed the story to me; but you can find it published here (in Spanish).

It's a very long, graphic, and sad story. It's every parents' worst nightmare.