A tragedy that could have been avoided
The femicide of Luna, a 13-year-old teenager in Maldonado , caused a stir in Uruguay. The minor was murdered on Tuesday, August 19 , by her father, a retired Army colonel, who then took his own life. The crime occurred despite the fact that the girl had reported episodes of domestic violence to INAU in 2023 .
Complaints and precautionary measures
According to INAU President Claudia Romero , Luna's first contact with the institution occurred in 2022, when the teenager ran away from home in Salto and sought help at a local agency. There, she was placed in a foster home.
In 2023, now living in Maldonado, the girl again reported an episode of violence by her father. The court imposed precautionary measures prohibiting contact between the two, which remained in effect until May of this year.
The re-linking process
At a court hearing, Luna told her attorney that she wanted to reconnect with her father and adoptive mother, although she also told INAU officials that she did not want to fully reconnect. This contradiction led to an extension of the measures until June, while the family's case was evaluated.
Romero clarified that the girl actually wanted to participate in some activities with her family, but court restrictions prevented her from doing so. This situation paved the way for the measures to be relaxed.
The day of the crime
On August 19, Luna's father showed up at the care center where she had an appointment with her speech therapist. He tried to take her away, but the teenager said she wanted to wait for her adoptive mother. The man left the premises, returned armed, and shot her several times. Luna died instantly. Minutes later, the assailant shot himself in the head and died at a hospital.
Repercussions and questions
The femicide raised alarms about the effectiveness of precautionary measures and the protection of children and adolescents in situations of violence. Social organizations emphasized that Luna had asked for help and that the system failed to protect her.
Romero stated that INAU supported the case and defended the actions, although he acknowledged the difficulty of intervening when minors express conflicting desires regarding their relationship with their parents.
A case that marks Uruguay
Luna's murder exposes the vulnerability of adolescent victims of domestic violence and the need to strengthen prevention mechanisms. The country thus adds another femicide, highlighting the risks faced by those who depend on a still-insufficient protection system.
