P R E F A C E

THIS is the first time I've heard of this case and my main objective is to share with all those who are objectively interested in the facts of this rare phenomenon.   Or those who have heard a bit of it decades ago but have already forgotten it- then this is a must reading for you.  It is suggested that facts presented herewith be read objectively for the sake of decency.

HUB PROPER

SEVENTY-ONE years ago in Antacancha, some 450 kilometers east from Lima, Peru, lived 5-year old Lina Medina and members of her family. Lina- apart from the neighbor's children her age- had an unusual belly. It was growing bigger and bigger each day. It invited her parent's attention and they were caught alarmed. Tiburcio- Lina's father and her mother left no stone unturned just to solve the mystery. They employed the services of shamans who- with the permission of Lina's parents- performed exorcisms to no avail.

As a last recourse, they decided to heed for the nearest place where there was a doctor. So with Lina on her father's back, they hiked for 2 days through circuitous valleys and hills to the hospital in Pisco which is located 70 kilometers away from Antacancha.   Dr. Gerardo Lozada thinking that the child was afflicted with tumor- did all tests possible to discover Lina's ailment.  But- he was aghast to hear from his medical instrument fetal heartbeats, confirmed by the x-ray examination that his 5-year old patient was 8 months pregnant.  Enraged, the doctor shouted at Tiburcio- Lina's father to tell him that his daughter was pregnant.  Sensing rape and incest, the doctor lost no time in calling for the services of a police officer who responded and placed Tiburcio behind bars. Tiburcio- however- was released for lack of evidence. In his stead, one of Tiburcio's 9 children- a boy with mental defect was placed in jail.

To put everything in their right perspectives, Dr. Lozada brought Lina to Lima, Peru where other specialists were requested to conduct examination to the girl. Their findings confirmed Dr. Lozada's that in fact the girl was pregnant.

On May 14, 1939 in Paurange, Peru, Lina gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing 5.92 pounds. As the mode most preferable because of Lina's small pelvis, the caesarian surgery was performed by a team of 3 doctors: Dr. Lozada, Dr. Busalleu and Dr. Calretta who provided anaesthesia.

Dr. Edmundo Escomel reported in La Presse Medicale that Lina's first period has occured at 8 months of age, that her breasts have prominent development by the age of 4. Widening and advanced bone maturation was displayed in her figure by age 5.

Approaching adulthood, Lina got employed as secretary of Dr. Lozada in the Lima Clinic where the good doctor taught her to read and write as well as the basic rudiments of education. Dr. Lozada likewise financed Lina's son high school education.

World War II overtook them at the clinic where mother and son were billeted for 11 months. Lina's fame had already spread like wild fire. Officer, artists, diplomats, merchants and politicians offered their presents to them. According to news reports then, Lina- the mother herself a child grabbed the toys away from her son. Dr. Juan Falen explained this fact to Reuters: "Precoucious puberty developed in Lina prematurely the sexual characteristics and the reproductive capacity, but mentally and chronologically she's still the same age ..." There were financial offers from foreign countries, private and public institutions to help mother and son but not one materialized. They received not a single centavo as help.

Three years ago she said her main ambition was that the government must compensate her for the house they've bulldozed to make way for a road. "It is not a favor, they owe me that". she said to the El Pais Journal.

Lina's son- Gerardo- who was named after Dr. Gerardo Lozada- was made to believe that he was Lina's younger brother but he discovered the truth at 10 that she was her mother. He grew up healthy then died in 1979 at age 40 due to bone marrow disease. Lina never revealed who Gerardo's father was. According to relatives, the girl might have been raped during one of her errands to wash clothes in the river.

Later Lina, now 33, married Raul Jurado who sired her second son in 1972. They're now presently residing in Little Chicago- a poor district of Lima.

Lina- who was born on September 27, 1933 is up to this writing 76 years of age. Her giving birth to Gerardo on May 14, 1939 at her tender age 5 years, 7 months and 17 days ushered her to the spotlight as the Youngest Mother ever recorded in history.

This record has never been broken up to this writing, September 28, 2009.

(Courtesy of the Internet)