LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peruvian authorities have launched an investigation into a residential care center, “La Casa del Padre” (The House of the Father), following allegations that teenage girls and young mothers residing there were exposed in public activities and on social media by the center’s director, a member of Congress. The case has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety and protection of vulnerable children and adolescents in the country’s care system.
The investigation began after reports surfaced that images and videos of girls, some with their babies, were shared on the social media accounts of Milagros Jáuregui, a congresswoman and evangelical pastor who oversees the center. According to reports from Salud con Lupa, the images were disseminated without the consent of the girls or their families.
Jáuregui, who is similarly a candidate for the Senate, has been a vocal advocate for initiatives aimed at restricting abortion access in Peru. The allegations have prompted scrutiny of a potential conflict of interest, as the center housed victims of sexual violence, some of whom may have been eligible for therapeutic abortions.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a formal inquiry into the matter, and the girls are being transferred to other protective homes. The case highlights systemic issues within Peru’s network of residential care centers, where standards and oversight are often lacking.
There are currently 235 residential care centers operating in Peru, both public and private. Still, according to data from February 2024, 54 of these centers still have outstanding requirements to achieve full accreditation from the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP). Accreditation ensures that facilities meet basic standards of protection, staffing, protocols, infrastructure, and state supervision.
The lack of accreditation raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of children and adolescents in these facilities. For those who have already experienced trauma, failures in the care system can have a devastating impact. A care center should be a place of healing, not a source of further risk.
The Commission of Ethics has requested a report from Jáuregui regarding the allegations surrounding “La Casa del Padre,” as reported by Canal N. Instagram posts from February 11, 2026 indicate that Jáuregui is facing accusations of failing to ensure access to therapeutic abortion for residents of the shelter.
The number of young mothers under the care of “La Casa del Padre” has reportedly tripled in the past two years, according to Ojo-Público, raising further concerns about the center’s capacity and the needs of its residents.
The case has prompted discussion about the exploitation of vulnerable girls, with some observers describing the situation as a “religious” business exploiting girls, as detailed in an article by La República.
