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Nicole Báez Ortiz, who leads the Families and Children Administration, reported earlier this week that the 3-year-old boy who was struck by a Christmas float on Monday night in Juana Díaz’s Vista Hermosa neighborhood is currently stable and undergoing medical monitoring at the Medical Center in Río Piedras.
“Our social work team is actively communicating with the medical personnel and the family of the child to assure his welfare and that of his family unit,” Báez Ortiz noted in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The official also verified that, as a precaution and in line with agency protocols, the boy’s siblings have been temporarily placed with a family resource during the ongoing social investigation.
“This measure is intended to safeguard the safety and welfare of the minors involved,” she emphasized.
The incident took place at approximately 7:41 pm on Monday, when the float driver, a 42-year-old individual, halted to distribute candy and toys. The child approached and was struck by one of the vehicle’s tires. He sustained severe injuries and was initially transported to San Lucas Hospital in Ponce before being transferred in critical condition to the Medical Center.
The administrator reiterated that if anyone suspects or is aware of a case of negligence or abuse, they can contact (787) 749-1333, available 24 hours a day.
Officer Miguel Almodóvar of the Highway Patrol Division, along with prosecutor Juan Molina Pérez, is looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
