Chile's child-protection service ran a state home for 116 young children where staff were late to report possible crimes and lost track of the children's health, auditors found.
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An audit by the Contraloría Regional Metropolitana, reported on 19 August 2026, of Casa Nacional del Niño, a residence run by the Metropolitan directorate of Chile's Servicio Nacional de Protección Especializada a la Niñez y Adolescencia (Mejor Niñez) housing 116 children, most under four, found multiple cases where directors missed the legal deadline (immediately or within 24 hours) to report possible crimes involving residents to prosecutors. Auditors also found children's health records inconsistent with the official information system, no standardised medication records, an autoclave out of service since June 2022 and insects and damaged screens in the kitchen. The Contraloría gave the service 15 working days to open an administrative investigation (sumario) to establish responsibility.
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