A nurse has been sentenced to life in prison in Argentina after being convicted of five counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder involving infants in a neonatal unit. Brenda Cecilia Agüero injected the children with potassium and insulin, leading to the tragic deaths and severe health issues of the survivors.
The case unfolded in March 2022 at Hospital Materno Neonatal Ramón Carrillo in Córdoba when several infants suddenly suffered cardiorespiratory distress. Concerns were raised by neonatologists, prompting a formal investigation. Tragically, two babies died, and two others were on the brink of death during the same shift in June 2022, sparking further suspicion.
Autopsies revealed high levels of potassium in the deceased infants and elevated insulin levels in the surviving children, indicating foul play. Families and medical staff reported seeing needle marks on the infants, leading to the discovery of improper medical administration. Agüero was arrested in August 2022 and subsequently charged, maintaining her innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
During the trial, psychiatric evaluations depicted Agüero as having disturbing traits, including a lack of empathy and enjoying the suffering of others. Allegedly motivated by career advancement, Agüero was accused of playing a role in determining the fate of the infants. Additionally, five other individuals from the hospital and health officials were convicted for their involvement in concealing and neglecting the situation.
The convicted individuals, including administrative personnel and healthcare professionals, received varying sentences ranging from jail time to suspended sentences. While awaiting the final judgment, they are currently free under bond conditions. Agüero’s claims of innocence persist, attributing the tragic events to systemic failures within the hospital.