Angry Questions

Last week a 16 month old child was abandoned at the public hospital. The child was unconscious and suffered severe brain trauma. Bruises and other injuries strongly suggested child abuse. The child was also malnourished.

No hospital in Acuna, a city of 180,000 people, has the medical equipment required to even assess the injuries to this baby, let alone provide treatment.

Paper Houses paid to have the infant transported to a hospital in Piedras Negras, 55 miles away. The child was brain dead. A few days later the child was pronounced physically dead.

Both parents were found and arrested. The mother was released. The father confessed and was charged.

Anger exists on several levels. How can a father, or anyone, beat a 16-month old baby? How can a mother remain while her baby is undernourished? Can anyone believe that this was not a case of on-going abuse?

How can a city of this size not have a fully equipped public hospital? The public hospital does not even have the equipment needed for a routine CAT Scan. There are only two ambulances in the city and they only transport patients to a hospital. Transports from hospital to hospital most often happen in a pick-up truck.

Yet, we must set aside the anger. Many things are not within our control. We must look at the immediate need of the child. Although the chances are slim, the child might survive with proper diagnosis and treatment. We paid for the transportation of the child.

It is far to easy to become angry about the situations in these border cities. The cartels, the silent media, the politicians, rumors, corruption, extortion and the lack of good jobs are all frustrating. Too often anger and frustration become excuses to justify not trying to help the poor. We must redirect our anger into positive action that helps the weakest and the poorest.

One other thought about the abused baby . . . Did the neighbors know? If the neighbors knew, what was their obligation? The people in the Mexican border cities are our neighbors. What do we know about their needs and situations? What is our obligation?