A Mexican governor and his influencer wife are under federal investigation, accused of using a sick five-month-old boy for marketing on ...
A Mexican governor and his influencer wife are under federal investigation, accused of using a sick five-month-old boy for marketing on Instagram after they got special permission to take him home for the weekend from the state-run shelter where he lives.
Samuel GarcÃa, governor of the northeastern state of Nuevo León, and Mariana RodrÃguez, went to the Capullos Social Assistance Center in Guadalupe on Saturday and got a temporary guardianship consent for Emilio.
The child is diagnosed with schizencephaly, a rare birth defect that produces slits or clefts in the hemispheres of the brain. He suffers from seizures.
RodrÃguez, who has been heavily involved with children's rights issues, developed a special bond with the boy several weeks ago during a visit to the shelter, Infobae reported.
The 25-year-old model acknowledged that the family was unable to apply for foster care because they lacked the required training.
Samuel GarcÃa, governor of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León, and his wife Mariana RodrÃguez, have come under fire after they shared a wave of photos with five-month-old Emilio, who they given special permission to take home for the weekend from a state-run shelter
Samuel GarcÃa, governor of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León, with his influencer wife, Mariana RodrÃguez
But the couple was slammed by human rights groups that accused GarcÃa and RodrÃguez of using Emilio to give free publicity to private companies and the governor's political party.
One of the photos shows GarcÃa and Emilio wearing jerseys of famous Mexican soccer club Tigres UNAL. Another snap showed GarcÃa in branded gym workout gear standing next to his wife while she held Emilio.
Additional pictures also showed RodrÃguez posing for selfies with the baby and sitting on a chair while the boy napped.
RodrÃguez, who has more than 2 million followers on Instagram, drew backlash for video footage of Emilio that she uploaded to her Instagram Story.
'By showing the face of the five-month-old child in a video on the social networks of the aforementioned couple and after it was replicated by some media outlets, in addition to revealing his name and the health problems he faces, there is a clear violation of right,' the National System for Integral Family Development said in a statement Tuesday.
Nuevo León governor Samuel GarcÃa and Emilio both wearing Tigres UNAL soccer jerseys
Mariana RodrÃguez poses with five-month-old Emilio, who has schizencephaly and suffers from seizures
Save the Children's local chapter in Mexico tweeted that Nuevo León governor Samuel GarcÃa and his wife Mariana RodrÃguez 'may even have committed the crime of human trafficking for using (Emilio's) image for political and commercial purposes in the communications of their social networks'
Save the Children's local chapter in Mexico tweeted that GarcÃa and RodrÃguez 'may even have committed human trafficking for using (Emilio's) image for political and commercial purposes in the communications of their social networks.'
The Network for the Rights of the Child in Mexico said it was worried about the 'excessive and unnecessary exposition' that GarcÃa and RodrÃguez subjected the child to even if they hold 'a legitimate interest in his life and his future.'
RodrÃguez responded to the criticism by saying that at least 420 families came forward and expressed interest in becoming foster parents.
Mariana RodrÃguez, wife of Nuevo León, Mexico, governor Samuel GarcÃa, poses with Emilio
Mariana RodrÃguez, wife of Nuevo León, Mexico, governor Samuel GarcÃa, poses with Emilio
'It's over. It was an incredible experience this weekend. Oh, the connection I have with Emilio, I really cried right now at the (Integral Family Development center),' she said. 'Thank you all for the messages this weekend. To the people who thought differently, I wish you to open your heart to help. I am going to dedicate my life to that, to help selflessly. So I hope all of you do away with your opinion. Help. Help the one next to you, the one in front of you. Really, sometimes just asking them if they are okay, if they need something is enough to have a chance to help.'
A survey taken by polling agency Poligrama showed that at least 64 percent of Nuevo León residents supported the governor and first lady in opening their home to Emilio for the weekend. A second poll showed that 65 percent of the residents believed that their gesture 'helps make people aware of the situation of orphaned children and raise awareness.'