A Community Holds Its Breath: The Disappearance of Nancy Aitana
On Tuesday, August 18, the city of San Luis, capital of the central Argentine province of the same name, was shaken by the disappearance of 3-year-old Nancy Aitana Isabella Ibarra. She was last seen playing with her siblings near the North Industrial Park, in the western area of the city, close to an abandoned factory. The family immediately called 911, triggering a massive search operation that involved more than 300 officers, the activation of the country's Alerta Sofía (the Argentine equivalent of the Amber Alert), and the closure of border crossings.
The hours that followed were tense. The entire province watched as authorities combed the area, while social media spread the alert with photos of the little girl. Just before 1:00 AM on Wednesday, August 19, the tension broke with an emotional announcement: Nancy Aitana had been found alive.
The Four-Legged Hero: Uma, the Bloodhound Who Never Gave Up
The discovery was made by Uma, a Bloodhound from the Police Canine Division, and her instructor, Valeria Martínez. They had been tracking the girl’s scent from the beginning, following the standard search protocols. But it was Uma’s persistent behavior that led the team to a specific spot on the abandoned factory grounds.
“Uma kept coming back and insisting, she stayed there. So we did a new inspection, where my colleague, officer Zapata, noticed something in a plastic that was softer. When we opened it, we found the girl,” Martínez explained to local media.
The little girl was found sleeping, wrapped in a nylon. She was in good health, according to the medical team that examined her on the spot. After the emotional rescue, she was reunited with her mother.
Official Recognition: Governor Poggi Honors Uma and Her Trainer
On Wednesday, August 19, the governor of San Luis, Claudio Poggi, visited the Canine Division headquarters in the Eva Perón neighborhood. He awarded medals to both Valeria Martínez and Uma in recognition of their outstanding work. The governor was accompanied by the Minister of Security, Nancy Sosa, and the Chief of Police, Juan Carlos Serrano.
During the ceremony, Poggi praised the coordinated efforts between the provincial government and the judiciary, led by Sosa and the Attorney General Sebastián Cadelago Filippi. He highlighted the effectiveness of the protocol that included closing border crossings and monitoring vehicles. Martínez, visibly moved, said: “Hearing the girl’s cry was a joy for us.”
Uma, who will turn 7 years old this Saturday, has a history of successful searches. She previously participated in the search for a young man named Darío Cuello in Tilisarao and in the rescue of a baby in the area of Police Station No. 4. She is also the sister of Nut, another working dog that passed away this year.
A Happy Ending That Warms the Community
The safe return of Nancy Aitana ended hours of anguish and restored smiles across the province. Her story, and the remarkable work of Uma, will be remembered by all San Luis residents for years to come.