A nurse has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of five counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder following incidents at a neonatal unit in Argentina. Brenda Cecilia Agüero injected the children with potassium and insulin, leading to the tragic deaths and near-fatal conditions of several infants.
The disturbing events unfolded at Hospital Materno Neonatal Ramón Carrillo in Córdoba in March 2022 when a previously healthy infant suddenly experienced cardiorespiratory distress. Subsequent incidents of distress among other infants raised concerns among medical staff, prompting an investigation.
Autopsies revealed high levels of potassium and insulin in the deceased children, indicating improper administration of medication. One parent reported observing Agüero taking her child away, only for the infant to return shortly before experiencing breathing difficulties.
Of the eight surviving children, one suffered severe neurological damage while another developed scoliosis after receiving injections. Agüero was arrested and charged in August 2022, maintaining her innocence throughout the trial. Psychiatric evaluations portrayed her as lacking empathy and allegedly motivated by personal advancement.
In addition to Agüero, five hospital staff and health officials were also found guilty of concealing information and failing in their duties. The convicted individuals, including administrative and medical personnel, received varying sentences ranging from jail time to suspended terms.
Despite the verdicts, the five individuals convicted alongside Agüero remain free under bond conditions until the legal process is concluded.
