The Catalan Department of Health is preparing to sanction several healthcare centres in Barcelona following an investigation into the treatment of an infant who suffered severe injuries and alleged sexual assault. The baby, just over one month old, was admitted to Hospital Vall d'Hebron on 16 March, leading to the activation of child abuse protocols.

Investigation into Healthcare Centres

The infant had previously visited multiple facilities, including Hospital del Mar, CAP Roger de Flor, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. During one of two visits to Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, doctors detected a femur fracture. The Department of Health now expects sanctions and corrective measures for some of these centres, as confirmed to ACN by Health sources and reported by El Periódico.

The baby spent one month in Hospital Vall d'Hebron, a reference centre for child abuse cases, with the initial days spent in intensive care. This major hospital, located in the Horta-Guinardó district, serves a significant portion of Barcelona's population and is crucial for complex medical situations. The infant is now with a foster family under the Generalitat's care, ensuring ongoing protection and support.

Parents Face Serious Charges

The Department of Health launched its investigation after learning of the case, meticulously examining the care the baby received during various medical visits. The reasons for the baby's initial medical attention were diverse and of varying seriousness, prompting a thorough review of the medical records.

Meanwhile, the baby's parents remain in pre-trial detention, facing grave charges of habitual ill-treatment, very serious injuries, and sexual assault against their child. Authorities confirmed that neither parent had any prior criminal record before this incident. This case has drawn significant public attention due to its serious nature and the vulnerability of the victim.

This incident underscores the critical role of Barcelona's extensive healthcare system in identifying and responding to child abuse cases. The activation of specific protocols at Hospital Vall d'Hebron demonstrates the established procedures for such sensitive situations.

A few weeks ago, the Public Prosecution Service requested the investigating judge question all doctors who treated the infant. This aims to clarify the symptoms observed and determine if any detected injuries were consistent with abuse, as the legal process continues to unfold.

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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.