A 13-year-old girl left a local children’s center in Palmy yesterday, an incident that drew immediate condemnation from authorities and advocates for minors. The National Police opened an official investigation to determine what had occurred and whether a crime had been committed during the night, emphasizing the seriousness of the report of sexual assault against a minor.
The events unfolded over a single night into the following morning. The minor reportedly left the shelter late on Thursday and did not return until around nine o’clock that evening, with a second absences extending into Friday morning. When school duties were mentioned, the teenager confirmed she had been sexually assaulted on the night she was away from the facility. The details prompted a swift response from social services and law enforcement, who coordinated to provide protection and care for the young person while the inquiry began.
A formal protocol designed for safeguarding minors in danger was activated. The 13-year-old was transferred to a medical center for a gynecological examination intended to gather any evidence that could support a case of sexual assault. The findings were forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the judicial system for review and potential action. This step is standard in cases where a young person may have suffered sexual harm, ensuring that medical and legal procedures are aligned to protect the victim and establish factual clarity.
Concurrently, the National Police continued its investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident and to identify and locate any suspect. In the course of their inquiry, officers considered a report naming a 20-year-old man of North African descent as a person of interest in connection with the alleged offence. Gathering eyewitness accounts, reviewing surveillance, and cross-checking travel and contact records were among the methods used to assess leads and build a coherent timeline of events surrounding the night in question.
The case drew broader attention as part of ongoing concerns about violence against minors and the safety of children housed in or leaving protective facilities. Community leaders, social workers, and family advocates underscored the need for strengthened safeguarding measures, better access to support services for victims, and transparent reporting to ensure accountability. The incident is one of several that have spurred discussions about enhancing preventive steps, such as staff training, supervised activities, and clearer pathways for reporting suspicious behavior in shelters.
On a separate but related note, reports from Christmas Eve two thousand nineteen recounted another troubling case in Palma, where a 13-year-old girl who had escaped from a children’s center was subjected to a gang rape under circumstances that intensified the call for robust protective protocols and rapid response teams. The recurrence of such incidents has prompted authorities to review procedures, collaborate with child protection agencies, and implement shared guidelines across institutions that care for minors. In both cases, the emphasis remains on safeguarding the most vulnerable, ensuring swift medical evaluation when harm is suspected, and pursuing legal avenues to hold perpetrators accountable while offering support to the victims and their families.
Experts stress that early intervention, compassionate care, and clear communication between shelters, health services, and police are critical in cases involving minors. Officials reiterate their commitment to protecting young people from exploitation and harm, and to conducting thorough, careful investigations that respect the dignity and rights of the victims. Community members are urged to report any signs of danger or abuse, and to remain patient as investigators work through complex evidence. The overarching goal is to create a safer environment for all children and to reinforce confidence in the systems designed to shield them from violence.