Troubled Teen Goes Missing, Mother Seeks Answers

Maria Hernandez

One mother is tonight looking for answers after her sixteen-year-old daughter went missing. On Monday night, police issued a missing poster for Virginia Hernandez. The teenager was in the care of the Human Services Department in Belmopan at the time of her disappearance. Her mother, Maria Hernandez, says she gave her child up for protective care after she ran away several months ago. The single mother is now questioning the whereabouts of her daughter. She is also questioning the system that the department has in place to discipline troubled youths.

Voice of: Maria Hernandez, Mother of Virginia Hernandez

“Virginia used to live with me then she ran away the first time. We reported it and Social Services came for her. She stayed there for about 4 to 6 months. Then yesterday I heard that she ran away again. I have tried calling them to see what is happening but they refuse to answer my calls. I need to know where she is because if anything happens to her they are responsible. I tried to get help with her education because she is a very bad raised daughter. She doesn’t’t listen. She wants to be on her own. The situation is that she does it because she wants to go to Guatemala with her dad. I told them, if she wants to with her dad, let her go with her dad, stay with him for some time to see the difference between there and here. And, they said no because she is a Belizean.  I said, good I get that but I am not responsible. I can’t take it anymore. I have told them that. This is too much for me to bear. I have asked for help and they refuse to help me. They tolerate them their misbehavior and let them do whatever they want. And I already sent them a message that if anything happens to them that they are responsible.”

News Five reached out to the Human Services Department and we were informed that no comments can be provided at this time because the matter is still being investigated. We continue to follow.