What happened
Eleven-year-old Candela Rodríguez disappeared near her home in 2011 and was found dead after a highly publicized search.
The investigation
Investigators examined ransom-related theories, family connections and a network of adults believed to have participated in the abduction and killing.
What the courts or investigators concluded
Several defendants were convicted in later trials, while the investigation continued to draw criticism for errors and competing theories.
Why the case remains significant
Candela’s case led to renewed scrutiny of missing-child searches and the coordination of police and judicial agencies in Argentina.
Case context
Crime by Region organizes cases geographically so readers can move from one file to other investigations from the same country. For unresolved or contested cases, the wording above reflects the distinction between confirmed events, investigative theories and findings actually established in court.