Clergy Cover-up Does It Work? – Niños Update 6

“The document contains numerous instances highlighting failures across various aspects of Niños de México’s operations. ​ Below are key areas where failures are identified:

1. Failure in Reporting Misconduct:
   • The institution consistently failed to report abuse to external authorities, prioritizing self-preservation over child safety. ​ Leadership discouraged reporting, citing fears of arrests and organizational closure (e.g., David Hernandez’s statements about not reporting abuse to avoid legal consequences). ​
2. Failure in Screening and Training Staff:
   • Leadership hired unqualified individuals, often overriding professional psychological assessments. ​ Staff lacked mandatory training in child protection, trauma-informed care, and abuse prevention, leaving them unprepared to care for vulnerable children. ​
3. Failure in Providing Basic Needs:
   • Children experienced hunger and inadequate food quality, with reports of expired food and insufficient allowances for meals. ​ Clothing was often ill-fitting or inappropriate, and some children were subjected to food deprivation as punishment. ​
4. Failure in Safeguarding:
   • Unsupervised access to minors by external adults, including sponsors, created significant risks. ​ Sponsors were allowed to take children on outings without staff supervision, exposing them to potential harm. ​
5. Failure in Addressing Sexuality Education:
   • The institution lacked comprehensive sexuality education, leaving children ill-equipped to understand boundaries, recognize abuse, or navigate online safety. ​ This contributed to vulnerabilities like digital extortion. ​
6. Failure in Medical Practices:
   • Improper medication practices, including the use of Depo-Provera for “chemical castration,” were reported. ​ Medications were administered without proper evaluations or prescriptions, raising ethical and safety concerns. ​
7. Failure in Documentation:
   • Missing or destroyed records, including incident reports and medical documentation, hindered accountability and continuity of care. ​ Security camera footage was reported to go missing, further compromising investigations. ​
8. Failure in Leadership Accountability:
   • Leadership, including Steve Ross and David Hernandez, failed to protect children, concealed abuse, and retaliated against whistleblowers. ​ Their actions contributed to a culture of fear and secrecy. ​
9. Failure in Financial Management:
   • Allegations of mismanagement of donations, insufficient funds for children’s needs, and potential tax fraud were reported. ​ Resources were allegedly directed to personal ministries, creating conflicts of interest. ​
10. Failure in Responding to Teen Pregnancies:
    • Pregnant girls were reportedly expelled or forced into marriages, with no support provided. ​ Some pregnancies resulted from rape, which was not reported to authorities. ​
11. Failure in Addressing Historical Abuse:
    • Decades of abuse, including sexual misconduct by founders and staff, were inadequately addressed. ​ The institution failed to implement meaningful reforms or acknowledge the harm caused. ​

These failures collectively demonstrate systemic issues within Niños de México, compromising the safety, well-being, and trust of the children in their care. ” (GRACE, “Independent Investigation of Niños de México, Final Report and Recommendations, November 12, 2025.)