A 25-year-old woman has been ordered into pretrial detention after being charged with the attempted murder of her seven-year-old niece in the Puente Alto district. The accused, who was serving as the child's temporary caregiver, allegedly inflicted multiple physical assaults that placed the girl's life at risk.
The attack took place in January of this year and involved a series of strikes using hands, feet, and various blunt objects. The severity of the injuries left the victim in critical condition, necessitating her immediate transfer to a medical facility for emergency care.
Following the child's stabilization and the subsequent report, the Investigative Police (PDI) launched an operation in southern Santiago. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect's residence, where they ultimately managed to arrest the woman.
Investigation into alleged sexual abuse
Prosecutor Juan Cheuquiante, representing the Southern Prosecutor's Office, detailed the nature of the assaults during the detention hearing. The prosecutor emphasized that the woman was directly responsible for the child's care at the time of the incident.
“The defendant had personal custody of the victim, her seven-year-old niece, and while the child was under her care, she proceeded to assault her with kicks and punches to various parts of her body,” the prosecutor stated.
The investigation has been assigned to the PDI's Southern Homicide Brigade. The prosecutor noted that the evidence gathered during the investigation provided sufficient grounds to request pretrial detention for the defendant.
Alongside the attempted murder proceedings, authorities are working on a separate investigation into alleged sexual abuse related to the same case. Investigators are currently in the process of gathering new evidence to clarify the facts.