Nurses sentenced in Artigas after trying to buy a baby: the court imposed probation, strict controls, and additional measures, according to INAU's complaint.
The nurses convicted in Artigas received sentences of 23 and 4 months, both under probation. According to the INAU complaint, they contacted a woman who was heavily pregnant and offered to give up the baby for money. The court found they were attempting to circumvent the legal adoption process and imposed sanctions and controls on them.
Nurses sentenced in Artigas: what the court decided
The case ended with two different outcomes. One of the defendants was found guilty of three counts of child abduction and received 23 months . The other was found to be an accomplice and received four months . Neither will go to jail if they comply with the judicial supervision plan.
Nurses sentenced in Artigas: probation and controls
The ruling established a strict framework. For the first convicted person:
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Establishment of address and control presentations .
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Nighttime house arrest.
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Electronic anklet during part of the sentence.
For the accomplice:
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Supervised community service
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Weekly presentation at a police station.
These are common conditions in this type of alternative sentencing: they reduce the prison term, but require strict compliance. Any deviation can reopen the door to actual imprisonment.
How the case was put together and why INAU intervened
INAU complaint triggered the investigation. The agency noted signs of irregular adoption : offers of money, attempts to arrange a transfer without judges or technical teams, and pressure on a socially vulnerable . However, the legal process requires interviews, reports, and a court ruling that protects the child.
Nurses sentenced in Artigas for irregular adoption
Adoption in Uruguay follows a defined path: evaluation by approved families, psychosocial monitoring, safeguards for the newborn, and a court ruling. Skipping this process opens the door to abuse and trafficking . The ruling's message is clear: even with declared "good intentions," purchasing or negotiating a surrender is a crime.
The ethical component: power, money and vulnerability
It's not just a formality. The equation includes asymmetries: professionals with stable incomes versus a woman without a network or resources. Therefore, the law protects pregnant people and, above all, children. The ruling seeks to discourage clandestine practices that rely on the needs of others.
Reactions and precedent
For system operators, the case serves as a precedent against irregular adoptions . It establishes responsibilities, establishes consequences, and reminds everyone that shortcuts harm everyone: the family of origin, the host family, and, ultimately, the baby. However, the focus doesn't end with the sanction: there's also an urgent need to strengthen public information and early support.
What to look forward to
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More information about the formal adoption process and its timing.
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Psychosocial support for women and families in crisis, before unfair offers arise.
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Training for health teams on how to refer sensitive situations.
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Sustained coordination between Health , INAU and Justice.
Quick questions, clear answers
Was there jail time? No, it was replaced by probation with strict conditions.
Who filed the complaint? INAU , after detecting signs of illegal adoption.
What crimes were classified? Appropriation of minors for adoption (the perpetrator) and complicity (another defendant).
What does the system protect? The dignity and best interests of the child , as well as the integrity of the pregnant person.
