BOGOTA, Colombia  —Relatives of four Indigenous children, who miraculously survived a plane crash and endured 40 challenging days alone in the Amazon rainforest, are now embroiled in a custody battle. The remarkable display of resilience by these youngsters has captured global attention. Currently hospitalized and expected to remain there for a few more days, the children, aged between 1 and 13, are undergoing interviews with Colombia's child protection agency. These interviews aim to ascertain which family members are best suited to provide care for them, following the tragic loss of their mother in the crash that occurred on May 1st.

Astrid Caceres, the director of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, revealed in an interview with BLU radio that a caseworker had been assigned to the children following a request from their maternal grandparents, who are competing for custody against the father of the two youngest children. Caceres stated that the agency's priority is to investigate and understand the situation, including the possibility of domestic abuse experienced by the children and their mother.

Caceres emphasized that the children's well-being, both physically and emotionally, is of utmost importance. She stated, "The most important thing at this moment is the children's health, which is not only physical but also emotional, the way we accompany them emotionally."

Narciso Mucutuy, the grandfather, accused Manuel Ranoque of physically abusing his daughter, Magdalena Mucuty, claiming that the children would seek refuge in the forest during their fights. Ranoque acknowledged that there were issues within the family but considered it a private matter, not meant for public discussion.

Ranoque mentioned that he has not been permitted to see the two oldest children at the hospital, while Caceres refrained from commenting on the reasons behind this decision.

Following engine failure, the children and their mother were on a journey from Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare when their plane vanished from radar. For more than a month, the children managed to survive in the Amazon rainforest by finding cassava flour, seeds, and fruits. Their Huitoto Indigenous background and familiarity with the forest contributed to their resilience. Eventually, they were found and airlifted to Bogota, then transferred to a military hospital. The children received psychological support and specialized care, including spiritual ceremonies and culturally appropriate food.

During their recovery, the children have shared distressing details of their time in the jungle, including the revelation that their mother survived for about four days after the crash before succumbing to her injuries. Dr. Robert Sege, a pediatrician and director of the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine, stressed the significance of creating a safe space for the children to openly express their emotions and discuss their experiences. This includes acknowledging potential feelings of grief or pride in their remarkable survival. Dr. Sege also highlighted that the processing of trauma can differ depending on the age of the children involved.

The plane wreckage was found in the dense rainforest two weeks after the crash, but the children were missing. Intensive search efforts were carried out, including food drops and flare illumination. The children were ultimately located in a small clearing about 5 kilometers away from the crash site. Lesly, the oldest child, has been praised for guiding her younger siblings during their 40-day ordeal. Their survival and resilience in the jungle have been commended, and it is important for them to remember their ability to keep the youngest sibling alive.