June 8, 2009
Posted: 256 GMT

HERMOSILLO, Mexico - When we arrived at the Panteon Municipal, the largest cemetery in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, a back hoe was digging massive quantities of earth for all the tiny coffins that will be interred here. Dozens of chairs were being set up under a canopy for the many parents who lost children in the terrible ABC Day Care Fire Friday afternoon. Undoubtedly, this is one the saddest days for the people of Hermosillo.

An unidentified mother collapses with grief on the coffin of her child on Sunday in Hermosillo, Mexico.
An unidentified mother collapses with grief on the coffin of her child on Sunday in Hermosillo, Mexico.

One of the first people to arrive is 34-year-old Evangelina Terrazas. She walked several miles to the cemetery with her four small children. We found her sitting in the shade of a small tree, her children dressed in their Sunday best. She cried as she watched one of the mothers collapse with grief at her child's gravesite.

The child was buried yesterday, a day after she was killed in the terrible day care fire. She was 2-year-old Paulette Daniela Coronado Padilla. Her mother, Maria Jesus, sat with Paulette's older brother, staring at the wilting flowers that covered the grave. The family played Paulette's favorite song, "Las Divinas," from the car stereo. Maria Jesus sobbed as she described her youngest child, a happy girl who loved to dance. She said she had placed her child in day care so that she could run a struggling cafe. She never imagined that the kiss she gave her when she said goodbye Friday morning would be her last.

Evangelina, who watched Maria Jesus, held her 4-year-old and told me through tears that even though she doesn't know little Paulette or her family, her heart aches for them. "Even though we're not related, even though we don't know them, we cry for them."

Indeed, everyone is crying for the children. Hermosillo is a city in mourning.

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Filed under: Mexico


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MASHELLE   June 8th, 2009 415 GMT

Iam so sorry for your pain, i can only imagine. My heart goes out to you and all that are hurting. My love and thoughts are with you.

Eduardo Lopez   June 8th, 2009 421 GMT

This is in a way, a result of nepotism and corruption in th mexican and the Sonoran goverment, no real inspections and stricts safety compliances are done in this childcare systems, this concesions are awarded to known politicians and welthy people in the region.

Mike Ochoa   June 8th, 2009 434 GMT

Unquestionably THE saddest & more grief-stricken tragedy ever experienced in the history of our city. We really feel as if we'll never stop grieving over our dead little angels. My heart goes out to those heart-wrenched souls whose beloved kids perished in such a horrific "accident". May God bless them & justice be brought to those responsible for such despicable omissions.

Maria Ysabel Trevino   June 8th, 2009 501 GMT

Padres, Madres de Hermosillo
(Fathers, Mothers of Hermosillo)
Mandamos nuestros oraciones y pensamientos de pesame.
(We send our prayers and condolences)
Sinceramente,
Sra. Angela Trevino y Familia.

Jorge Flores   June 8th, 2009 539 GMT

It is a shame that impunity and corruption in Mexico will reach these ends, the three owners of the nursery abc 2 working in state government and a wife is a secretary of government! influence peddling, and is working for the political campaign of a candidate for governor next MEXICANO as I am ashamed! I hope to punish the owners of the daycare

p.k.johnson   June 8th, 2009 929 GMT

It is so sad , May God bless them & justice be brought to those responsible for such despicable omissions.

I will prey for this family for this incident. My love and thoughts
are with you.

johnson & family

Roni   June 8th, 2009 933 GMT

My heart , tears and prayers go out to all of the parents and citizens of Hermosillo. I pray that this terrible tragedy will lead to change so that no more little children will be harmed.

reza   June 10th, 2009 951 GMT

Nothing could be more tragic than losing an innocent baby so suddenly in an horrible accident like this. Its heart breaking . My heart is in lot of pain too.My condolences to all the mothers and fathers of the lost ones.

Beryl   June 10th, 2009 1044 GMT

My heartfelt sympathies to all the parents who have lost their little child.
May God give them the strength to bear this great loss.

aidy virus   June 10th, 2009 1053 GMT

This goes out to all mothers who lost their Angels in that horific scene...for your tears God i'll give u double honour.my heart felt thotz are with u.(a social work student)

ann kilroy ireland   June 10th, 2009 1352 GMT

my heart goes out to all families who lost there wee angels in such a tragedy they are in my prayers

Caro   June 10th, 2009 1635 GMT

Friday was a horrific day for all of us in Hermosillo, the news spread as I was at work... as all those children´s parents where at work, some heard the news and just got there as fast as they could but it was too late some where already burn severly or deceased... 44 is the total of children that where killed by this fire and more are still struggling to go on theres little kids with 80% of their bodies completely burned this is just tragedy that gets deep into your soul to just hear about this

A woman who worked at the day care says she went inside the building on fire and all those babies reached out their arms for her be she could only take a few, after those three times she got in then it was impossible to go back, "the image of the kids, the babies reaching out for me is there every day.." she told crying, this image will be in her mind and many other who helped save some of those children...

I pray for the parents, families and all those who where there, for the heroes who saved some I thank you

Evelyn V.   June 10th, 2009 1711 GMT

I am so sad and pray that all the families of these little angels can go thru life without them and God please help them thru all this!..Amen

Peter Ihimire   June 10th, 2009 1715 GMT

We felt 4 those family that lost their children & encouraging them to take heart.

Johann   June 10th, 2009 1721 GMT

My heart goes out to you all. May God ease your pain day by day.

Jackie   June 10th, 2009 1952 GMT

I was driving yesterday, and had to slow down because this long mourning line of cars was crossing my way,,,it was one of the children´s funeral heading to the cemetery, you could feel that sadness in the air..My eyes watered and my heart ached...
It was one, I can´t imagine the others 43 kids funeral services..some alone some in groups..Too many are now in critical stage...let´s pray.
And may God bless their families in this hard and painful times.

Crystal Ybarra   June 10th, 2009 2141 GMT

Mandamos mucho amor y nuestras oraciones
para toda la cuidad de Hermosillo.

Con mucho Carino
Familia Ybarra

geri mendiola   June 11th, 2009 137 GMT

EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T KNOW THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM OR VICTIMS MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. MAY THE PERSON OR PERSONS BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY DID. I HAVE NO PITY FOR PEOPLE WHO LASH OUT ON INNOCENT KIDS ...PEOPLE LIKE THAT DON'T DESERVE TO BE HERE SICK OR NOT...LIKE I SAID MY PRAYERS ARE SENT FROM MY HEART TO YOURS..

sue   June 11th, 2009 249 GMT

i am very sad to hear about the deaths of such young hope. i pray that justice is made, unfortunately nothing will be able to bring back these angels.
god bless you and your families.

Teacher Bethany   June 11th, 2009 335 GMT

... I work in a day care. I can't even imagine the pain being felt right now. I love each and every one of "my" babies so so much. we do fire drills every month and I have back up plans in case something goes wrong. Not only are the parents in pain, but also the teachers. my god. just the thought of something happening at my center makes me cry. my heartfelt tears for everyone involved. :'-(

derik   June 11th, 2009 1234 GMT

Sorry to hear my sincere apologizes
Cant imagine what i would feel like.
Regtig jammer vir julle mense..

Abhishek   June 11th, 2009 2008 GMT

Deeply hurt with the incident...may God let their souls rest in peace.

Carlo   June 11th, 2009 2349 GMT

I was in class when i heard about this i cant stop thinking about the parents, i got home while i was getting more deatils i went to the bathoom i cried i dont know them but i cried my friends were shocked about the news. I want to say im sorry i just want to hug you all and never let go.So in behalf of my family and friends we send our prayers and condolences to the people who lost their children. May god bless you mothers and fathers. Such terrible pain

with all the love a free will mind and heart could give

Jennifer   June 12th, 2009 212 GMT

I am not a mother yet....but my heart aches for the mothers and their families. May God be with you and your families.

ceishell mabvuu   June 12th, 2009 828 GMT

my heart goes to all those that have lost their angles.you are in my prayers

isaac . c. obiyor   June 12th, 2009 954 GMT

dont cry have faith in god. and put every thing in gods hand he know the best for you . like my father die 2005 at the age of 45 year it look as if the world have come to an end on my side but i put every thing in gods hand. let peace be with your family.

Arshad   June 12th, 2009 1034 GMT

This is great loss for the parents .May God give you strength to overcome this pain and loss. God bless us all.

Native Texan   June 12th, 2009 1209 GMT

God Bless You & Keep You All.

nana frema   June 12th, 2009 1415 GMT

My heart aches for all the families. I can't imagine what they are going through, having two kids of my own. May the children's souls rest in the comforting arms of God. May God give all the families the courage and peace to move on but never forget.

God Bless them all.

Julio Quiroga   June 12th, 2009 1929 GMT

I would die there to help the little children to save their lifes I cry for them 44 until today abd I can not imagine the pain and suffering of the parents, granparents and families and if this happen to me I will be dead anyway because I could not support the death of the children or grandchildren, they were in a place adapted for Daycare not a real and good one all the doors were completed sealed so no thief could go inside and was in an industrial zone next door a tires place and close to a gasoline station, this was a negligence and in Mexico there are thowsand maybe in worst condition, they want only received government funds and try to benefit of that money as much as possible, This crime need be sentencing the people authorized this business and the owners. God bless all this babies are in heaven.

Muhammad   June 15th, 2009 522 GMT

My condolences for the families of these children
May god ease their pain and give them patience to withstand this tragedy.

God willing, the children are for sure in heaven now.

Candy   June 15th, 2009 1834 GMT

My heart goes out to those family because i have two young children of my own.....and i have lost someone close to me and i know how they feel...but no word s can replace their loss and the pain they're feeling....

Deon   June 17th, 2009 553 GMT

I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful children. May you know in your hearts that your beloved babies are with god and are now safe and comforted. Please know that the world is grieving with you and is praying for you.

Kelly   June 29th, 2009 529 GMT

I know how empty & alone these individuals (parents) are feeling.
I know the many thoughts... the longing... the anger & mostly the deep pain in which each person of these beautiful little people who were given as a gift to learn from & to learn from each person they touched or were touched in their very short span here on earth.
I can only add that my deepest prayers are with each of you.
I know how words at this point in time, have if any... little meaning, due to that deep longing of wanting/needing of your baby.
I just want you to know this... Your children have blessed you while they lived... and they will continue to bless you even after death. I know you won't feel/think this at this time... but my most inner prayer for each of you is PLEASE Do No let these passings steal your soul... in anger... in grieft... in bitterness & pain... let all these natural feelings flow but also allow them to flow over time outward where it won't distroy you as a person. I also know, that a part of your heart/soul will be taken with these children... I know... I too; from personal experience from awfulness that life can toss one... can take away a part or a huge part of the soul... but remember the good of these babies & with that alone it will & can mend all that deep hurt & longing.
It will not ease completely... It never does...Don't be fooled by what some can & will say... but Do remeber that our Maker allows tradgedy like this in order to allow us to make changes happen.
I'm not at all saying that the ones responcible for this horridness to be allowed freedom but rather to hold them Accountable in their actions in which has occured. Do Not take Law into your own hands... that is the worst one could do... and that to me is what the bible meant when it states to turn the other cheek. Allow what Law can be Applied to be Applied form the Courts.... even if it isn't what you will find fitting.
These people who allowed this to happen, are ALL READY Guilty & in that they have lost in their Soul... and thats just the beginning.

God be with All You... As He is holding each your babies in His loving & gentle hands...
Kelly

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