Abuses at the Tocumen Care Center: Judge Authorizes a Review of Digital Material

2026-03-17 - 19:05

The investigation into alleged abuse of minors at the Tocumen Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) has taken a new step. A judge has authorized the prosecution to review audio recordings, videos, images, and emails related to the case. The judge of guarantees for the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, Fermín Bonilla, made the decision during a hearing held on Monday, March 16, in which three requests presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office were evaluated. All three relate to the role Ana Fábrega pictured below, played in the direction of the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Families (Senniaf). Fábrega, who resigned from her position on March 3, was denounced by congresswoman Alexandra Brenes for possible crimes against minors at the Tocumen shelter. Bonilla concluded that the requests were submitted on time and met all legal requirements. Therefore, prosecutors were authorized to use material extracted from digital devices and accounts, such as emails, audio, and video, as evidence. The hearing was attended by prosecutor Elisa Arosemena, lawyer Tania Castillo representing Fábrega, and public defender Shantal Acevedo, who acted on behalf of the victims of the CAI. The case began in February 2026, after Brenes, pictured below, reported irregularities in shelters under state custody. Specifically, the alerts focused on the Tocumen CAI (Child Protection Center), where neglectful conditions and failures in the application of international protocols for the protection of children and adolescents were reported. The National Assembly ratified the new director of Senniaf on Monday. She is Lilibeth Cárdenas, who previously served as Vice Minister of Women.