Two out of the three children involved in the alleged child abuse case that shocked Cienfuegos have been hospitalized due to high fever, according to updates from the pro-government page, Las Cosas de Fernanda, which has been closely following the situation.
The children are currently in the pediatric hospital of the province, under medical supervision in the respiratory ward, accompanied by specialized staff, as reported by the regime's spokesperson on its Facebook profile.
Initially, a three-year-old child developed a high fever while staying at a temporary educational center where he and his siblings were placed following the authorities' intervention. Soon after, a five-year-old sibling exhibited similar symptoms and was also taken to the hospital. Both children are stable and receiving continuous medical care.
The third child remains within institutional care at an educational facility, with consistent monitoring by social workers.
An interdisciplinary commission handling the case decided to maintain state custody until the circumstances surrounding the abuse are fully clarified and any risks to the children are eliminated before they can be reunited with family members.
Earlier, Las Cosas de Fernanda reported that the children's mother, identified as Marlenis Cosme Nodal, is detained as the investigation proceeds.
According to the official narrative, the Ministry of the Interior, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Department of Minors, and the Cuban Women's Federation acted “promptly and responsibly” after the initial report was filed.
The page, which operates as a local propaganda channel, emphasized the state's role in “child protection” and declared that “the Cuban Revolution has always placed children at the heart of its social policies.”
The same report blamed local residents for their alleged “complicit attitude” by not reporting the case sooner, and warned that the mother may face criminal charges if it is confirmed that the injuries to the children were intentional.
The public outcry began when a neighbor recorded the youngest child, about two years old, tearfully recounting that his mother had burned him with coffee. The video, which shows blisters on the child’s back, sparked nationwide outrage. Another neighbor claimed the children had been scalded with hot water.
Only after the video went viral did official institutions intervene. Las Cosas de Fernanda stated that the police, the prosecution, the Ministry of Labor, the FMC, the government, and the Communist Party in the province acted in coordination to protect the children and ensure they received medical care.
The official outlet insisted that “child protection is a duty of the state and the entire society,” attempting to portray the regime’s response as exemplary.
However, this official narrative is at odds with accounts from witnesses, who assert that local authorities only acted after the video gained attention online.
Social media users have criticized the political exploitation of the case, noting that the state's response was delayed and that without the citizen’s report, the children would have remained unprotected.
The versions released by Las Cosas de Fernanda highlight that all three children were initially treated by burn specialists and that one had “significant, but not severe” injuries.
Official reports avoid detailing the extent of the children's injuries or their psychological state, as the criminal investigation continues.
The children’s maternal grandmother, who lives in the Cruces municipality, has been contacted to potentially take over their care, but the overseeing commission has decided that no transfer will occur until the legal process is complete.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the procedure is being conducted “in strict adherence to the law.”
The case of the three children from Cienfuegos has reignited discussions on the inefficiencies of Cuba's child protection system, where institutional intervention often comes too late, and citizen complaints are the only triggers for action.
As the children recuperate under state custody, the regime strives to control the narrative, portraying its actions as a demonstration of “revolutionary solidarity,” even though the horror was exposed only thanks to a brave neighbor with a smartphone.
Key Questions on the Cienfuegos Child Abuse Case
What prompted the intervention in the Cienfuegos child abuse case?
The intervention was prompted by a viral video recorded by a neighbor, showing the youngest child with burn injuries and claiming abuse by the mother.
What actions have authorities taken in response to the case?
Authorities have placed the children under state custody, provided medical treatment, and detained the mother while investigating the abuse allegations.
How are the children being cared for currently?
Two of the children are hospitalized with high fever under constant medical care, while the third remains in an educational facility with social worker supervision.
What criticisms have been made regarding the official response?
Critics argue that the official response was delayed and only initiated after the video went viral, questioning the state's efficiency in protecting children.