Federal judge Cristina Pozzer Penzo, who is overseeing the investigation into Loan Peña’s disappearance, led a series of searches in key areas of 9 de Julio this afternoon. Notably, they focused on the vicinity of Abundio Escobar’s home, an ambulance worker who reported hearing screams on June 20. However, according to sources involved in the operation, the searches did not yield any results.
Escobar recalled hearing a child calling for their mother around 6:30 PM, asserting that it was the cry of a young child and not a calf, as prosecutors had suggested during his statement. He is the husband of the director of the 9 de Julio hospital, where one of the accused, Victoria Caillava, was treated on the night Loan vanished.
This marked the first time that Judge Pozzer participated directly in an on-site investigation since the case began. She joined security forces in the search operations conducted in 9 de Julio on Sunday afternoon. Later on, federal prosecutor Mariano de Guzmán also joined, making this a notable occasion since the federal justice system took over the investigation.
Around 8 PM, the judge left the area without providing specific details to the press about the search. She expressed her need to remain respectful towards the case and the family, stating that any significant updates would first be communicated to them. Pozzer Penzo confirmed she would be interrogating Francisco Amador Méndez, the former police officer and last detention in the case.
Walter Maciel, the police commissioner accused of involvement in Loan Peña’s disappearance, claimed during his interrogation that he was being held unjustly. He stated he is “prepared to be a police officer, not a prisoner.” Maciel is under suspicion for the “removal and concealment” of the 5-year-old who disappeared on June 13 in 9 de Julio.
Judge Pozzer’s questioning of Maciel lasted about five hours, during which he denied the charges, pointing fingers at the boy’s aunt, Laudelina Peña, and suggesting suspicious behavior from other family members. He claimed that Laudelina had been dishonest since the beginning, alleging she offered excuses for not promptly reporting his disappearance to the police, while also noting the child’s father appeared intoxicated.
“I firmly believe Benítez and Laudelina were involved,” Maciel asserted. He expressed a desire to assist in the investigation, refuting the many lies he said had been spoken regarding his involvement. Maciel reiterated his innocence, insisting that he is wrongfully detained and deeply concerned for the missing child and his grieving parents.
Meanwhile, Loan’s brother, José Peña, shared his anguish over the ongoing search, stating that 38 days after his brother’s disappearance, there is still no clear information on his whereabouts. He voiced his hope that someone would come forward with knowledge about Loan’s location.
When asked about the various theories surrounding the case and the involvement of family members, José simply remarked that he wants to know where his little brother is. He noted the sensitivity of involving his aunt, who is currently imprisoned for the case. He added that he no longer trusts her, stating, “Let justice deal with her.”
As the investigation continues nearly 40 days after Loan’s disappearance, there are still no conclusive answers about what happened during his fateful visit to his grandmother’s house with his father.
