On Monday afternoon, the mother of 10-month-old Kosún González Pedroso was taken into custody in Camagüey, as reported by activist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez on Facebook. During the arrest, authorities also rescued her two other young children who had been staying with her.
The arrest took place in an illegally occupied residence on Lugareño Street, number 310, between Hermanos Agüero and Martí, in the Cándido González district. This location is notably close to institutions like Public Health and the headquarters of the Communist Party of Cuba.
"The mother of Kosún, who committed such heinous acts alongside a woman 'caring' for the baby, was free until Monday afternoon, March 23," Rodríguez Sánchez stated.
At the time of her arrest, officers rescued Samira, aged 6, and Siman, who is nearly 5, both maternal siblings of baby Kosún.
An Alarming Case of Systematic Abuse
The case has stirred outrage across Cuba since March 3, when the baby was rushed to Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital following reports from neighbors.
The infant was found suffering from severe protein-energy malnutrition, delayed psychomotor development, cigarette burns on his neck, multiple bruises, and extreme dehydration.
Witnesses claim Kosún had been confined to a dark room for about three months, receiving just one meal per day.
After 17 days of intensive care by a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, nutritionists, and gastroenterologists, the baby showed significant improvement, gaining weight and enhancing motor responses.
On March 20, he was discharged and moved to the Manuel Zabalo shelter, a facility for young children without family support.
Community Pressure and Legal Action
The arrest likely resulted from public pressure. "Coinciding with several complaints made on this and other social media profiles about this grave situation, the prosecution sent police to her home, leading to her arrest," noted Rodríguez Sánchez.
Furthermore, the caregiver allegedly responsible for most of the abuse has also reportedly been detained.
The mother has six children in total: three lived with her, while the others were previously removed by their fathers or paternal grandmothers.
Rodríguez Sánchez highlighted the mother's extensive history of child abuse, including a 12-year-old daughter removed by her father due to alleged exploitation.
"She was supposedly subjected to exploitation in the past, yes, the kind you might imagine. The mother managed to evade charges in that instance too," he added.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident: reports of mothers mistreating their children have surged in recent years.
Understanding the Child Abuse Crisis in Cuba
What led to the arrest of the mother in Camagüey?
The mother was arrested due to her involvement in the abuse of her baby and the pressure from public complaints on social media.
How was the condition of baby Kosún when he was found?
Baby Kosún was found with severe malnourishment, developmental delays, cigarette burns, multiple bruises, and extreme dehydration.
What actions were taken for the siblings of Kosún?
The siblings, Samira and Siman, were taken to the pediatric hospital for evaluation and later placed in the Manuel Zabalo shelter.