A Guatemalan court on Tuesday convicted six former officials for their roles in the 2017 fire at the state-run Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción that ultimately claimed the lives of 41 girls and injured 15 others. The facility had long faced allegations of abuse and overcrowding.

Judge Ingrid Cifuentes directed prosecutors to open an investigation into former president Jimmy Morales for possible responsibility tied to the shelter’s operation and security deployments at the time. Sentences ranged from six to 25 years for offenses including manslaughter, mistreatment of minors, abuse of authority, and breach of duty. Former Social Welfare Secretary Carlos Rodas received 25 years. Former police officer Lucinda Marroquín was sentenced to 13 years after evidence showed she held the key

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