A newborn girl under one month old, who had been in the intensive care unit since February 3 at the Maternal and Child Hospital in Málaga due to alleged mistreatment, passed away this Tuesday, according to statements provided to Europa Press from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Welfare, Youth, Families, and Equality.
The inquiry began after healthcare professionals suspected that the baby, estimated to be about 16 days old, might have suffered abuse. As a result, the appropriate safeguarding protocol was activated to protect the infant and assess the situation.
Following these investigations, the father was detained by the National Police at the hospital’s request and was placed at the disposal of the courts. The Málaga Investigating Court No. 6 subsequently ordered the provisional release of the man.
In provisional guardianship
A week earlier, on February 6, the regional government announced that the child had been placed under provisional guardianship while her medical condition was monitored for signs of improvement. Loles López, the minister in charge of Inclusion, Social Welfare, Youth, Families, and Equality, stated, “The first priority is the baby’s recover. That is what everyone hopes for, understandably.” López explained that provisional guardianship had been granted to ensure that, once the child left the hospital, the most stable long-term arrangement could be put in place.
The case highlights the coordinated response of medical staff and social services when abuse suspicions arise. It also reflects the legal and welfare procedures designed to shield a vulnerable infant during an ongoing health crisis and to determine the most suitable care plan once the infant’s hospital stay ends. Officials emphasized the balance between safeguarding the child’s immediate health needs and establishing a secure, stable environment for the future, all within the framework of applicable laws and child protection protocols.