Federal authorities are investigating a Mexican governor and his wife as an influencer. They were accused of marketing to Instagram a five-month-old boy who was sick after receiving special permission from the shelter where he lives.
Samuel García, governor of the northeastern state of Nuevo León, and Mariana Rodríguez, went to the Capullos Social Assistance Center in Guadalupe on Saturday and got a temporary guardianship consent for Emilio.
Rodríguez, who has been heavily involved with children’s rights issues, developed a special bond with the boy several weeks ago during a visit to the shelter, Infobae reported.
Schizencephaly is a rare birth defect that causes slits and clefts to the brain’s hemispheres. Seizures are also a problem.
According to the 25-year old model, the family couldn’t apply for foster homes because it lacked proper training.
Samuel García, governor of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León, and his wife Mariana Rodríguez, have come under fire after they shared a wave of photos with five-month-old Emilio, who they given special permission to take home for the weekend from a state-run shelter
Samuel García, governor of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León, with his influencer wife, Mariana Rodríguez
But the couple was slammed by human rights groups that accused García and Rodríguez of using Emilio to give free publicity to private companies and the governor’s political party.
One of the photos shows García and Emilio wearing jerseys of famous Mexican soccer club Tigres UNAL. Another snap showed García in branded gym workout gear standing next to his wife while she held Emilio.
Additional pictures also showed Rodríguez posing for selfies with the baby and sitting on a chair while the boy napped.
Rodríguez, who has more than 2 million followers on Instagram, drew backlash for video footage of Emilio that she uploaded to her Instagram Story.
The National System for Integral Family Development released a statement on Tuesday saying that the video showed the faces of five-month-old children in the videos posted to social networks by the couple. Other media outlets then reproduced the video.
Nuevo León governor Samuel García and Emilio both wearing Tigres UNAL soccer jerseys
Mariana Rodríguez poses with five-month-old Emilio, who has schizencephaly and suffers from seizures
Save the Children’s local chapter in Mexico tweeted that Nuevo León governor Samuel García and his wife Mariana Rodríguez ‘may even have committed the crime of human trafficking for using (Emilio’s) image for political and commercial purposes in the communications of their social networks’
Save the Children’s local chapter in Mexico tweeted that García and Rodríguez ‘may even have committed human trafficking for using (Emilio’s) image for political and commercial purposes in the communications of their social networks.’
The Network for the Rights of the Child in Mexico said it was worried about the ‘excessive and unnecessary exposition’ that García and Rodríguez subjected the child to even if they hold ‘a legitimate interest in his life and his future.’
Rodríguez responded to the criticism by saying that at least 420 families came forward and expressed interest in becoming foster parents.
Mariana Rodríguez, wife of Nuevo León, Mexico, governor Samuel García, poses with Emilio
Mariana Rodríguez, wife of Nuevo León, Mexico, governor Samuel García, poses with Emilio
‘It’s over. This weekend was an amazing experience. It was amazing to feel the bond I have with Emilio. “Thank you to all who sent messages over the weekend. People who had different ideas, I want you to be open to helping. This is what I intend to do with my whole life, and to give back to the world. Please let me know what you think. Help. Assist the one sitting next to you. Sometimes, asking someone if they’re okay or if they have any questions is enough for you to offer your help.
A survey taken by polling agency Poligrama showed that at least 64 percent of Nuevo León residents supported the governor and first lady in opening their home to Emilio for the weekend. According to a second survey, 65 percent believed their act ‘helped raise awareness and make people aware about orphaned children’.