Fontana woman accused of abusing son with Down syndrome

A 71-year-old woman, identified as Dora Isabel Rettore, has been reported for systematic physical and psychological violence against her 31-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, in Fontana, Chaco.

The investigation was triggered by an anonymous call to the Metropolitan Family and Gender Violence Division. Upon arriving at the residence on Santa Fe Street, police interviewed neighbors and the victim's brother, who confirmed the recurring abuse. Family members provided security camera footage documenting various incidents between March and September.

The recordings show the woman, who uses a wheelchair, using a cane to strike her son's arms, throwing objects, slapping him, and grabbing him by the neck or hair. In one instance, she was filmed threatening him with a kitchen knife during a dispute over food.

Prosecutor Marcelo Stachula of the 1st Criminal Prosecutor's Office of Resistencia is overseeing the case, which is being treated as domestic violence. Additionally, the victim's sister has been seeking legal custody of her brother through the Provincial Institute for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (IPRODICH) since January.