The family of an elderly woman living in the Bouco Carabanchel residence has reported the center's director, José Manuel Mestre, to the Prosecutor's Office, attributing to him "a presumed crime of coercion" for allegedly violating her "freedom of expression" after they informed other residents of the "precariousness" of the service.
This is stated in a document to which Europa Press has had access, where they describe the "expulsion" of the user as "intimidating acts," understood as a "pressure measure on family members to restrain them and cease, against their will, their freedom of expression."
The events took place on March 24, when the resident's son distributed an "informative" note among other acquaintances explaining how to file complaints about the "precariousness of the service." As a family member told Europa Press, during her stay, the elderly woman had allegedly suffered "head trauma, fractures in the same arm, and bruises."
A day later, the family of this user, described as "vulnerable and dependent," received a communication informing them of her expulsion within 15 days. The son interprets this decision as an "act of reprisal" after exercising his "right to freedom of expression," which is why, along with the Pladefma Platform for the Defense of the Elderly, he has decided to report the head of the residence for "a presumed crime of coercion."
In the document sent to the Prosecutor's Office, the family members emphasize that Law 12/2022 on Social Services of the Community establishes that "a user can only be expelled from a center when they commit a very serious infraction," circumstances that, in their opinion, "have not occurred."
Investigation by the Community of Madrid
In April, the Community of Madrid agreed to initiate an investigation into the Bouco Carabanchel residence following the "warning" issued to the user. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Family and Youth communicated that it would carry out the "necessary" inspections to "make decisions" and stressed that no expulsion had been carried out.
Despite this, the resident's family has criticized that the regional government's response was reduced to "a suggestion" regarding the request to disqualify the director. For this reason, this Thursday they will file a new document with the Inspection in which they request the opening of a sanctioning procedure for his "illegal action." Furthermore, they will request the "precautionary separation" of the director from his post to "avoid serious harm to third parties."
From the Ministry headed by Ana Dávila, they have indicated to Europa Press that the residence located in the Carabanchel district has kept the user in her place, so "no infringing conduct has been observed."