Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash
A 15-year-old girl has been gang-raped at her own birthday party by at least five suspects after she left with an 18-year-old man accused of drugging her.
The shocking incident occurred in the neighbourhood of Luduena in the city of Rosario in the Argentine province of Santa Fe in the early hours of 13th December.
The teen girl, who has been identified as Milagros, 15, was celebrating her birthday with friends and family on the evening of 12th December.
‘Quinceaneras’ are celebrations held across Latin America, most notably in Mexico, which celebrate the coming-of-age from young girls to womanhood on their 15th birthday.
An unnamed 18-year-old boy who reportedly knew Milagros and lived near her house attended the party later in the evening.
He allegedly gave Milagros something to drink which appeared to be alcohol he brought himself before leaving with her, according to local reports.
An eyewitness claims she saw the 18-year-old suspect help Milagros leave her home as she appeared to have difficulty walking. (https://bit.ly/2KrpLur)
Party guests started looking for Milagros after they realised her absence and found her wandering in the street near her home some hours later.
Local media said the 15-year-old girl was found totally disoriented and covered in blood. The victim was able to tell those who found her that she had been raped by 10 men before fainting.
Milagros was rushed to a local hospital where doctors found her injuries to be compatible with sexual abuse before moving her to the Eva Peron Hospital in the city of Granadero Baigorria.
Dr Jorge Kilstenin said the girl had to be operated on due to her “considerable genital injuries” and received two blood transfusions after the vicious attack, according to Todo Noticias (TN). (https://bit.ly/3nClQJG)
Dr Kilstenin added: “It is evident there was a situation of sexual violence.”
Head of the Sexual Crimes Unit, Ramiro Gonzalez Raggio, told local media that upon carrying out further investigations, they can confirm with “reliable constancy” that five people participated in the gang rape.
Two of them are reported to be brothers of the 18-year-old who was detained immediately after he was pointed out by the victim.
A second suspect aged 26 with initials P.E. was also detained for participating in the rape, however, no further information has been given on his identity.
The 18-year-old’s mum could also be prosecuted as local sources claimed she knew it was happening and did nothing to stop it.
The teen girl told psychologists she briefly remembers coming around to find one suspect on top of her and also remembers a mother of one of the suspects saying ‘they’re going to report you for what you have done’. (https://bit.ly/2J8ol7n)
Gonzalez Raggio said the authorities already know the identities of the three remaining men to allegedly participate in the rape, however, it is unclear if there have been further arrests.
Cops are also investigating if Milagros was drugged before she was raped which would mean aggravating circumstances.
According to the newspaper Infobae, the suspects could see a potential maximum sentence of 20 years, however, investigations are ongoing.
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