Three Workers Removed From Cancun Youth Shelter After Abuse Allegations

Cancun, Quintana Roo — Three employees of the Temporary Assistance Center (CAT) in Cancun have been suspended from their positions following allegations of mistreatment made by two teenage girls who ran away from the facility, according to the director of the municipal DIF (Family Development System), Marisol Sendo Rodriguez.

The allegations surfaced in a video that circulated on social media, in which the two adolescents, aged 15 and 17, claimed they fled the shelter because they had been abused. Sendo Rodriguez said the three named workers were temporarily removed as a precautionary administrative measure while an investigation is underway.

“As a first step, the three people they mentioned were temporarily removed from the CAT while the investigations continue. They are separated from their positions as a preventive, administrative measure,” she explained, adding that the municipal comptroller’s office has been notified.

Both the municipal DIF and the State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE) are investigating the abuse allegations, as well as whether any staff members helped the girls escape, and are working to locate the two teenagers.

“There are situations where the girls had or expressed a reason for leaving. We are investigating — both the prosecutor’s office, after we filed our complaint, and internally — verifying processes. We have meetings with coordinators and directors, and we have cameras. We have given full access to the authorities,” Sendo Rodriguez said.

Security at the shelter has been reinforced with the addition of three officers from the Citizen Security Department and constant patrols around the facility, she added.

The CAT provides care for children and adolescents who have been direct or indirect victims of crime. Currently, it houses 125 minors — 77 girls and 48 boys.

Sendo Rodriguez noted that many of the children at the shelter lack support networks, which complicates their situation. The facility offers activities such as music classes, yoga, exercise, and meditation, but psychological trauma remains a serious challenge.

“There are situations where children feel hopeless, perhaps because they don’t get support from their parents, or they know their parents are no longer there or have stopped coming, or they no longer have a support network,” she said, adding that this can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress.