13-year-old girl raped, killed at home after mother stepped out to buy food during lockdown
A teenage girl was raped and killed in her own home after her mother left to buy food amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Ana Paola, 13, was found dead inside a bedroom in her home in Nogales, Mexico. Her family had been in lockdown but her mother was allowed to step out to go buy groceries and essentials. As per local media, the victim's mother who hasn't been named had left only shortly before the attack took place.
According to reports, someone broke into the home and raped and murdered the child. Nothing was stolen from the home. Paola's mother had started to get worried when her former partner called her to say that he was unable to contact their daughter.
Paola's mother rushed home to find that the police were already present outside the home. Her 13-year-old daughter's lifeless body was discovered inside a bedroom. A police spokesman said, "The victim was found in one of the bedrooms and there were signs of violence to her face, apparently from blows," the Sun reports.
"The father of the underage person contacted the mother over the phone where he revealed the 13-year-old girl had gone missing. She arrived at her home which was already secured by officers of the Municipal Police," the spokesman added.
An investigation into the killing is ongoing but there have been no reports of anyone being caught or arrested so far. While taking to social media, Paula's mother wrote, "There are no words to explain my feelings."
"I just want to be thankful that my girl lived and shined on Earth for 13 years and from today, will shine in the sky dancing for eternity."
The murder has sparked outrage across Mexico with many calling for justice on social media platforms.
A family member shared, "Someone broke into my cousin’s house in Nogales. They raped and killed my niece, who was 13 years old. Any thoughts of solidarity, citizenship, and economy are pointless. Today, Mexico, the government and the world, do not count on me anymore."
The incident led to the hashtag #JusticiaParaAnaPaola (Justice for Ana Paola) which has been trending on various social media platforms. Paola's death has also led to resentment on social media regarding the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
Many people took to social media platforms to express their outrage and sadness at Paola's killing. One such user shared, "There is no greater pain than to lose a child. No matter the political belief in these polarized times, the demand has to be strong for those who promised to take care of us and have totally failed. Enough."
Another added, "I really wish with all my heart that any human being capable of even thinking of committing an act like this is infected and struck down by some virus and becomes extinct from this world. They shouldn't be alive."
"Violence has overwhelmed us. This is one more sample of the beasts that we have become," wrote a third. "Regrettable and very sad. This shoddy government MUST ALREADY BE RESPONSIBLE for the safety of the people," a fourth user chimed in.