A court in Argentina has sentenced Brenda Cecilia Aguero to life in prison after she was found guilty of murdering five newborn babies and attempting to kill eight others at a hospital in Cordoba Province.
According to details presented in court, Aguero used lethal doses of potassium and insulin to carry out the killings over several months in 2022.
Investigators revealed that she obtained the substances from medical carts that lacked proper inventory controls.
All the infants were reported to be in good health at birth but died unexpectedly while receiving care in the neonatal unit at the Maternal and Child Hospital in Cordoba, located roughly 600 kilometers from Buenos Aires.
Prompt action by medical staff helped save the lives of eight other newborns who were also targeted.
Aguero, who was arrested in 2022, consistently denied the allegations during the trial. She claimed there was no concrete evidence against her and accused the media of wrongfully labeling her as a serial killer.
In line with Argentina’s legal framework, the court ruled that Aguero must serve at least 35 years before she can be considered for parole.
The sentencing was read aloud in court and aired by national news outlets.
Ten other individuals were also tried in connection with the case.
These included former public health officials and hospital staff accused of attempting to cover up the incidents or failing in their professional responsibilities.
Among them were a former provincial health minister, a secretary of health, and the hospital’s former director.
Five of the defendants received lighter sentences after being found guilty, while the remaining five, including the former government officials, were acquitted, according to Infobae.
