Panama’s Minister of Social Development, Beatriz Carles, has publicly addressed two recent cases of abandoned newborn girls. The incidents occurred in late November in the provinces of Chiriquí and Panama. Carles confirmed one infant is now in a state shelter while authorities search for the mothers and investigate potential crimes.
The minister emphasized that the Ministry of Social Development (Panama) will provide all necessary assistance to ensure the children’s welfare. She also issued a direct plea to women in crisis, urging them to seek alternatives to abandoning their babies. State child protection services have assumed custody of both infants as legal proceedings begin.
“We continue to monitor the situation. We must try to find these mothers, but above all, seek a better alternative for them. In reality, children should be with their family, with their mothers. Think carefully. If you do not have the capacity, look within your family circle, but do not leave them at the mercy of fate,” said Minister Beatriz Carles. [Translated from Spanish]
Investigations are now underway for alleged child abandonment. The National Police and the Public Ministry are leading the efforts to locate the individuals responsible.
First Newborn Found in Chiriquí Province Farmland
The first case was reported on November 27th. Members of the National Border Service (Senafront) rescued a newborn girl abandoned on a farm. The location was in the Renacimiento district of Chiriquí Province.
Senafront director Larry Solís stated the alert came from a senior officer in Río Sereno. That officer reported finding the child in a pasture. “When we attended the area, we found the newborn girl, still with remnants of blood and the umbilical cord,” Solís confirmed on November 28th. After the rescue, the baby received immediate medical attention. She was then placed under the custody of the Public Ministry.
Second Infant Discovered in San Miguelito
A second abandoned newborn was discovered just two days later. This case occurred on Saturday, November 29th, in the Tinajitas sector of San Miguelito district. A citizen found the baby girl near water reserve tanks belonging to the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers.
Medical personnel who assisted the infant estimated she was only about four hours old. Following the citizen’s alert, National Police agents transported her to the Dr. Generoso Guardia Polyclinic. She also received urgent medical care there. Both cases highlight severe vulnerabilities within certain community support systems.
The National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (SENNIAF) now holds legal custody of both children. The secretariat is the competent authority for safeguarding children without family. Officials there will manage care while the judicial process unfolds. Their work is a critical component of national social development and child protection frameworks.
Minister Carles’s appeal focuses on prevention. She stressed that family networks should be the first resource for mothers feeling overwhelmed. The state offers support pathways, but early intervention is crucial. These tragic incidents have sparked a broader conversation about social safety nets and crisis support for new mothers across Panama.