Social workers with the Special Investigations Unit of Puerto Rico’s Department of the Family in the Carolina region denounced staffing and resource shortages, deteriorating facilities and vehicles, the absence of housekeeping staff and child care, and what they called labor exploitation by Department of the Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes. The workers, who spoke to NotiCentro, said the limited number of professionals makes it impossible to properly handle the volume of referrals arriving daily.
Beyond the workload, they said they lack drivers and vehicles, and that the vehicles are infested with insects for lack of maintenance. They also cited deterioration in the areas where minors are cared for, saying children spend weeks sleeping in the office, and a lack of security and resources when professionals carry out investigations. On November 3, 2025, a letter was sent to the supervisor of the Administration for Families and Children citing a lack of financial resources to handle emergencies involving minors under immediate custody.
On September 17 of this year, employees of the Special Investigations Unit sent another document to the regional supervisor stating that the fewer the staff, the greater the load on those who remain. The workers said problems arose under past administrations but were addressed in time. Amid the crisis, they demand Roig Fuertes resign and do not rule out taking to the streets to demand their rights.