13-year-old dies at a military summer camp in Mexico; family alleges abuse

Dafne Zapata Quintos Martínez, 13, died under circumstances that are still being investigated at a military summer camp in Mexico, four days after arriving there. Her mother claims that when she arrived at the site, the girl's body was already inside a body bag. Local media reported that the camp was held on the grounds of the Marina Doenitz Military Academy in Ciudad Madero. According to reports, parents were forbidden from speaking directly with their children, and it was the staff who provided updates regarding the trainees' condition.

"I brought her to the summer camp alive and she returned dead," said the mother, Alejandra Quintos. "She came here to a military-style summer camp. All they tell me is that she suddenly collapsed in the bathroom, and then 10 minutes later they call me to tell me she has no signs of life."

Dafne arrived at the camp on July 13. According to the mother, as early as July 14, staff member Astria Mora told her that Dafne had vomited and fainted during physical activity. She claims she was told the girl fell face-first and cut her lip, but was later reassured that her condition had improved after receiving medication and fluids. On July 17, the mother was informed that Dafne was suffering from a cough, vomiting, and incontinence, and minutes later, she received the call that her daughter had died.

A few days later, a girl who participated in the camp — which cost about $1,400 — claimed that Dafne was pushed, fell on her face, and was subsequently punished.

"When Dafne was standing, they pushed her and she fell on her face," the girl allegedly recounted. "Then they took her to a room, and when they punished her, they put her face in water. When she couldn't take it anymore, they would make her keep running."

Dafne's grandmother also told local media that her granddaughter had injuries on various parts of her face. "They beat her, I know they beat her," she said. Since the incident, children have provided testimony to the prosecution, with some claiming that students were forced to take drugs to keep up with training and were compelled to beat each other.

Jorge Luis Ponce Ortega, the academy's director, denied the allegations of abuse, telling the prosecution that Dafne arrived with an undiagnosed medical problem. He told local media: "She suddenly collapsed while she was showering and did not regain consciousness." Three staff members have since been arrested, including the director, Astria Mora Díaz, and assistant instructor Dana Yanina N. The investigation is being conducted by the unit specializing in femicide in Tamaulipas, and the academy remains closed. Dafne's death certificate states the cause of death as asphyxia due to drowning. The family intends to hire independent experts to perform an additional autopsy.