Elderly Nun Questioned for Abductions during Chilean Dictatorship

Latin American Herald Tribune
August 5, 2014

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2346439&CategoryId=14094

A 93-year-old Chilean nun, sister Maria Graciela Soto, has been questioned regarding the alleged abduction of babies in public and private hospitals in Chile during the military dictatorship (1973-90).

The nun was interrogated by Judge Mario Carroza last Friday in her home, online daily Emol reported, citing prosecuting lawyer Cristian Letelier.

According to some plaintiffs, Sor Maria Graciela Soto was involved in the illegal handover of babies in the Barros Luco hospital of the Chilean capital during the 1970s and 1980s.

On April 15, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts suspended priest Gerardo Joannon, currently under investigation for the irregular adoption of newborns who were pronounced dead shortly after their birth.

The decision was taken following a report by the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIPER), which cited the cases of several girls of single mothers who had been declared dead.

In most of the cases, according to CIPER, it was relatives of the mothers who decided to snatch the children and give them up for adoption with the help of priests and gynecologists, a fact that was admitted by Joannon.