Conviction of Nurse for Newborn Murders in Argentina
In a shocking case from Argentina, Brenda Cecilia Agüero, a nurse, was found guilty of killing five newborns and trying to kill eight others during her shifts in a neonatal unit. This alarming situation unfolded over just three months at a hospital in Córdoba, where several babies died or fell critically ill under her care.
A jury reached their decision in June 2025 after a six-month trial and about ten hours of deliberation. Agüero received a life sentence at Bouwer Penitentiary but could be eligible for parole after 35 years.
Although convicted, Agüero insists she is innocent, claiming she was made a scapegoat for broader issues within the hospital. During the trial, an attorney described her actions as playing God, deciding the fate of innocent lives.
Psychological evaluations presented in court suggested she displayed traits of narcissism and a lack of empathy, with motivations tied to a desire for recognition and career advancement.
The troubling events began in March 2022 at Hospital Materno Neonatal Ramón Carrillo when a healthy newborn suddenly developed severe health issues. Following weeks of similar crises among other newborns, two neonatologists raised alarms, prompting an investigation.
A key moment occurred on June 6–7, 2022, when two babies died and two nearly died during Agüero’s shift. Reports indicated that doctors began to suspect foul play after noticing unusual marks on the infants.
Prosecutors argued that Agüero injected potassium and insulin into the babies, leading to lethal heart disturbances. Autopsies confirmed high levels of potassium and insulin that were inconsistent with normal medical treatments.
One heart-wrenching testimony came from a mother who witnessed Agüero take her baby and return moments later when the infant stopped breathing. While eight babies survived, one faced permanent neurological damage linked to insulin, and another suffered severe scoliosis from a potassium injection.
Agüero was arrested on August 19, 2022. In court, she expressed her distress about being portrayed as a monster in the media, emphasizing her understanding of the mothers’ pain while denying the accusations.
Additionally, the trial uncovered systemic failures, resulting in the conviction of five hospital officials for neglecting their duties. These included former hospital director Liliana Asís and others, who received varying prison sentences but remain free while awaiting further legal proceedings.
