A 13-year-old girl has died in mysterious circumstances while attending a summer camp at a military academy.
Dafne Zapata Quintos Martínez arrived at the Marina Doenitz Military Academy in Ciudad Madero, Mexico, on 13 July.
Four days later, her mother, Alejandra Quintos, received a call from the academy informing her that Dafne had died.
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She told local media: “I handed her over alive and healthy. She came here for a summer course, a military-style camp.
“All they tell me is that she suddenly collapsed in the bathroom out of nowhere, and then 10 minutes later they call me to say she has no vital signs.”
The academy prohibited direct phone contact between children and their families, as reported by Need To Know.
During the four-day camp, which Dafne’s family paid 25,000 MXN (1,071) for, only staff provided general updates about the children’s well-being.
According to Alejandra, staff member Estrella Mora called her on Tuesday (14 July) to report that Dafne had vomited and fainted face-first during a physical activity, splitting her lip.
The following day, Mora allegedly told her that Dafne had woken up feeling better after receiving medication and fluids and being seen by a specialist.
On Thursday (17 July), she allegedly reported that Dafne was suffering from coughing, vomiting and incontinence, and was being given medication.
Minutes later, Alejandra received the call informing her that her daughter had died.
When she arrived at the academy from the family home in Ciudad Mante, she said Dafne’s body had already been placed in a body bag.
Days later, a girl who had attended the camp allegedly told Alejandra: “When Dafne was standing, they pushed her and she fell face-first.
“Then they took her to the room, and when they punished her, they would submerge her face in water, and when she couldn’t take it any more, they would make her keep running.”
According to Dafne’s grandmother, the teenager had injuries in different areas of her face.
“They beat her, I know they beat her,” she told local media.
The day after Dafne’s death, several parents went to the academy to collect their children, who have since given statements to prosecutors.
One child allegedly claimed students were forced to take drugs to endure training sessions, while another alleged they were forced to hit each other.
The academy’s director, Jorge Luis Ponce Ortega, has denied allegations of mistreatment and told prosecutors that Dafne arrived at the camp with an undetected pre-existing medical issue.
He told local media: “She suddenly collapsed while she was showering and never woke up.”
Dafne’s death certificate lists the cause of death as “asphyxia caused by submersion”.
Her family has announced it will hire independent experts for a second autopsy.
The Tamaulipas Prosecutor’s Office has sealed off the academy building as the investigation continues.
“She loved her little dogs and looked after them with immense patience and love,” read a tribute to Dafne.
Her mother said: “I love you, my Dafne. I will fight for justice until my last breath.”
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