Owner of Mexican shelter defends tough love

In thus Thursday, July 17, 2014 photo, a boy peers out through the door of a cell-like room inside The Great Family group home in Zamora, Mexico. After a police raid on the refuse-strewn group home, residents of the shelter told authorities that some employees beat residents, fed them rotting food or locked them in a tiny "punishment" room. Shelter residents were still being kept at the home while officials look for places to transfer them. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) In thus Thursday, July 17, 2014 photo, a boy peers out through the door of a cell-like room inside The Great Family group home in Zamora, Mexico. After a police raid on the refuse-strewn group home, residents of the shelter told authorities that some employees beat residents, fed them rotting food or locked them in a tiny "punishment" room. Shelter residents were still being kept at the home while officials look for places to transfer them. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

By Associated Press July 23, 2014 3 min read

MEXICO CITY (AP) – The owner of a group home raided last week amid abuse and filthy conditions defended her “tough love” approach, but acknowledged that things got out of control.

Seventy-nine-year-old Rosa Verduzco spoke with the Univision television network in an interview, excerpts of which were published Wednesday.

“My strength was failing and there were things I couldn’t keep an eye on,” said Verduzco, who was detained but later released because prosecutors said she showed signs of senility.

She appeared lucid and largely unrepentant in the interview.

The “Gran Familia” group home she founded was raided by police on July 15 and about 600 children and adults were rescued from the filthy, trash-strewn compound.