Uncovering a Case of Human Trafficking and Sexual Abuse
A 17-year-old girl exposed a suspected case of human trafficking and sexual abuse against minors in Mexico City at the Casa de las Mercedes CDMX institution, which was intended to be a safe home for vulnerable girls and teens.
Background on Casa de las Mercedes CDMX
Casa de las Mercedes CDMX was established to provide a secure environment for girls and teens facing difficult circumstances. However, recent events have revealed a disturbing situation that echoes similar cases like “La gran familia” with “Mamá Rosa” in Michoacán (2014) and the “Ciudad de los Niños” in Guanajuato (2016).
The Unfolding of the Allegations
How the alleged abuses were uncovered:
- In March 2025, a teenager residing at the alleged safe home was taken from the shelter to the home of Aquiles “N”‘s mother, where she was forced to perform household chores and experienced sexual assault.
- Following this incident, the teenager faced threats, harassment, and intimidation from the staff at the foundation. They allegedly warned her that she could lose custody of her child if she reported the abuse.
- Despite these threats, the teenager wrote a letter to the System for the Integral Development of the Family in Mexico City (DIF-CDMX), which prompted DIF-CDMX to file a report with the Fiscalía CDMX, initiating an investigation and leading to the rescue of 80 children and teens under the foundation’s care. These individuals were relocated to social assistance centers.
Key Players and Responses
Bertha Alcalde Luján, Fiscal General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (FGJCDMX):
Alcalde Luján announced that Aquiles “N” was apprehended and is under investigation for aggravated rape. He is currently held at the Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Oriente under preventive detention, with a two-month deadline for the completion of complementary investigations.
Redim’s Concerns and Statement
The Mexican Children’s Rights Advocacy Network (Redim):
Redim expressed concern over the situation at Casa de las Mercedes in Mexico City, highlighting the vulnerability of children, teens, and the commercialization of their lives when there’s no guarantee of living free from violence.
- In this case, there appears to be at least one victim of gender-based and sexual violence among girls, while teenagers were subjected to recruitment or trafficking and exploitation.
- Redim emphasized that such cases arise in environments conducive to rights violations, characterized by violence, confinement, insufficient supervision, and the absence of adequate conditions and protocols to ensure a rights-based approach.
- The organization also pointed out that similar cases have occurred in Mexico, such as “La gran familia” with “Mamá Rosa” in Michoacán (2014) and the “Ciudad de los Niños” in Guanajuato (2016).
Reinserta’s Call for Action and Collaboration
Reinserta, a Mexican non-profit civil organization:
Reinserta urged federal, local authorities, and society to investigate the situation and establish a path for restoring rights for affected children and teens.
- Reinserta encouraged authorities to set a new standard in this administration, addressing structural flaws without reducing the issue to isolated cases.
- They offered technical collaboration to strengthen protection, accompaniment, and monitoring protocols for both institutionalized and at-risk children who may become victims of recruitment, a crime not yet explicitly defined in Mexico.
Commitment to Protect Children’s Rights
Fiscalía CDMX and the Government of Mexico City:
The Fiscalía CDMX reaffirmed its commitment to work alongside the Government of Mexico City to safeguard children’s best interests and ensure their access to justice.
In accordance with the National Criminal Procedures Code and respecting the presumption of innocence, individuals mentioned in this statement are considered innocent until proven guilty by a competent judicial authority.
