An ambulance transporting Rosa del Carmen Verduzco, an octogenarian known as "Mama Rosa" who founded the shelter "La Gran Familia" in Zamora some 60 years ago, arrives at the Puerta de Hierro hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico, on July 21, 2014 to get a hear
The elderly director of a Mexican shelter where children were allegedly routinely abused is to escape prosecution, after doctors said she suffers from dementia.
Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said Monday that octogenarian Rosa Verduzco, better known as "Mama Rosa," has apparent senile dementia, and as such cannot be tried.
"Given her cognitive dysfunction, couple with her advanced age, it was determined that Ms Verduzco has the characteristic symptoms of senile dementia," Karam told a press conference during which he announced charges against six other workers at the centre.
"That is the main reason that forces this agency not to prosecute her," he said, while acknowledging "many, many" allegations of abuse perpetrated by her, mainly beatings.
Police raided the home, known as "La Gran Familia," in the western town of Zamora last week amid reports that five kidnapped children were being held there.
They found those children and much more: 400 minors and 200 adults living among piles of rotting food and other fetid trash, as well as horror stories about sleeping amid rats and insects -- and even being forced to perform oral sex on adults.
Since then prominent Mexicans have rushed to the defence of Verduzco, who founded the shelter some 60 years ago, including former president Vicente Fox.
An open letter signed by leading intellectuals demanded recognition for Verduzco's work helping children over the years.
Murillo Karam said the prosecution did not yield to any pressure. He also rejected any possibility of reopening the shelter.
Verduzco was hospitalised due to hypertension and kept under police guard pending charges after the raid. She was also treated for diabetes and heart problems.
By late Saturday, all charges were dropped and Verduzco was allowed to go free.
She was transferred to an exclusive medical centre near Guadalajara to be subjected for further testing for heart problems.
The attorney general said eight workers arrested along with her were in detention awaiting trial, while two were freed.
At least one has confessed to sexual abuse, investigation spokesman Tomas Zeron has said, adding that some of the children at the shelter were reportedly beaten or kept in isolation with little food.