Argentina: Journalist Marcela Coronel denounces caregiver for elder abuse

Journalist Marcela Coronel has filed criminal charges against Norma Noemí Sandín, a caregiver accused of physically and verbally abusing Coronel’s 100-year-old mother, Berta. The abuse was captured on home security cameras, showing Sandín slapping, pushing, and verbally threatening the elderly woman, who suffers from senile dementia.

Following the discovery of the footage, Sandín was detained and charged. However, she was released 48 hours later after medical examinations at Hospital Italiano failed to detect serious physical injuries or lasting sequelae from the alleged assaults. Despite her release, Sandín remains under indictment and is subject to judicial restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country and a prohibition on approaching the victim or her family. Police custody has also been arranged at the victim's residence.

Coronel expressed public indignation regarding the release, stating, “I want her imprisoned,” and noted that while her mother cannot reconstruct the events due to her condition, she still perceives physical pain. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.