13 Children Recovering
In Hospital After Family
Claims Of Being Victims
of Witchcraft
The Cruz Roja (Red
Cross) reports
hospitalizing 13
indigenous Guaymíes
children whose parents
assure that they are
victims of witchcraft.
The children, all 7
years of age, are from
the Río Bonito
community, in Ciudad
Neily.
The Cruz Roja says it
transferred the 13
children to hospital
from an overcrowded
house where more than 20
people lived together
for more than eight
days, in an attempt to
hide from the "espíritus
malignos" (evil spirits)
cast upon the village by
a "chaman" (sorcerer).
The minors are being
kept under observation
at the Hospital de
Ciudad Neily, where they
are reported to be in
stable condition.
Four of the indigenous
parents will be facing
the judicial system,
even though they affirm
that they were doing the
correct to protect their
children.
The spiritual conflicts
occur mainly between the
followers of the "tata
mama" religion, who
practice witchcraft.
The Fuerza Pública
(police), with the help
of the Patronato
Nacional de la Infancia
(PANI) - child welfare
agency - had to pry the
children from the arms
of their parents, who
refused their children
be taken to hospital.
When the first calls to
911 were received,
authorities were in
disbelief, however, as
the days passed police
acted as more credible
information poured in,
confirming the unusual
rituals.
|
