After being reported missing from Moa, Holguín, two 16-year-old girls have been found unharmed. This reassuring news was shared by Raúl Leyet, the father of one of the teenagers, in a post on the Facebook group "Basar Moa Centro. Garantía y buenos precios".
The discovery ends a two-day period of anxiety for the girls' families, friends, and community, who had been engaged in a vigorous search campaign, primarily conducted through social media.
"Thank God, the saints, and the miraculous San Lázaro, they were found safe and sound," expressed Leyet, relieved by the girls' return.
Throughout the ordeal, Leyet's primary concern was the health of his daughter, María de Jesús, who suffers from diabetes and other chronic conditions requiring constant care. He had previously explained that she even needs oxygen support and medical equipment at home.
The disappearance was reported when the teenagers left for school but never came back. Both María de Jesús and Darlin Díaz were reportedly seen later in the city of Holguín, which escalated concern and led to police involvement both locally in Moa and at the provincial level.
During the time they were missing, Leyet turned to various Facebook groups to plea for assistance, sharing photos and descriptions of his daughter, along with contact information for any leads.
In these posts, he also highlighted the growing issue of minor corruption, manipulation, and luring of young girls with false promises of money and prostitution—a problem he suggested extends beyond just Moa.
After the girls were found, Leyet shared that although they were physically unharmed, they returned with significant emotional distress.
"They came back safe but deeply traumatized from experiencing street life alone, away from the love of their family," he wrote.
He noted that the family spent sleepless nights fearing tragic news, given the current climate of insecurity on the streets.
"It's well-known that the streets are rife with prostitution, drugs, weapons, theft, and false profiles for exploitation, but I'm not the one to fix that—it's the job of the authorities," he stated.
In subsequent messages, Leyet emphasized that his public outcry was driven solely by a father's love and desperation over his missing daughter.
He dismissed criticisms and reaffirmed that his priority was always the safe return of his daughter in good health. He urged authorities to investigate the circumstances of the girls' disappearance and to seek justice if any crimes were committed. He also reiterated concerns about predators and networks that endanger young girls.
The case sparked a significant community response on social media, with calls to share information and protect minors. It also reignited discussions about the vulnerability of teenagers and the need for stronger familial, social, and institutional safeguards to prevent such incidents.
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What were the teenagers' health conditions during their disappearance?
One of the teenagers, María de Jesús, suffers from diabetes and other chronic conditions that require constant medical care, including oxygen support at home.
How did the community respond to the teenagers' disappearance?
The community mobilized through social media, sharing information, and urging protection for minors. The case highlighted the need for better safeguards for adolescents.
What issues did the father raise about current street conditions?
The father raised concerns about the prevalence of prostitution, drugs, theft, and exploitation through false profiles, calling for authorities to address these issues.