AMLO: Investigation To Reopen Into 2009 Daycare Fire That Killed 49 Kids

By Kendal Blust
Published: Tuesday, September 3, 2019 - 4:46pm
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Kendal Blust/KJZZ
Crosses for each of the 49 children who died in the fire at ABC Daycare on June 5, 2009, have been placed outside the building.

This June marked the 10-year anniversary of a fire in a Sonoran daycare that killed 49 children and injured more than 100 others. Now, Mexico’s president is promising to take action on behalf of the victims and their families.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced an investigation has reopened into the tragic ABC Daycare fire.

Former Sonoran Gov. Eduardo Bours is among those named in the new criminal complaint, as well as the owners of the daycare.

López Obrador said it’s one of several measures meant to bring justice to the families of the victims. He also touted efforts to secure continued medical care for those injured in the fire.

But some are still skeptical.

"I'm going to wait until they come through on their promises," said Julio Cesar Marquez, who has been fighting for justice since his 2-and-a-half-year-old son died in the daycare fire.

Marquez said it’s hard to trust government promises after 10 years of inaction. But he hopes this time will be different.

“It’s what we have right now," he said. "All we can do is wait, but without relaxing, without stopping the fight and our demand for justice."

He said the fight won't be over until Mexico can ensure that no other children will suffer the same fate as his son and the 48 other infants and toddlers who died in the fire.

“We’re fighting to make sure that our children's deaths weren’t in vain and that this never happens again," he said. "As a parent, that’s what I’m doing and I’m not going to stop.”

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