Tragic life of world's youngest mum who had baby aged just five

16 June 2023 , 05:16
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Lina remains the youngest ever person to become a mother
Lina remains the youngest ever person to become a mother

Linda Medina was just five years old when she gave birth to a son, making her the youngest ever person to become a mother.

She lived in a remote Andes village and, initially, her life didn't appear any different to the other children her age.

But her parents became concerned one day when the youngster's stomach appeared enlarged.

They suspected the minor might have an abdominal tumour but, as it turned out, Lina was actually seven months pregnant, reports The Daily Star.

She later gave birth to her son via Caesarean section just weeks later.

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Flabbergasted medics found that Lina had a rare condition called precocious puberty and had been showing signs of puberty from a very early age.

Tragic life of world's youngest mum who had baby aged just fiveLina's son reportedly spent years believing his mum was his sister

She developed sexual organs as a toddler and had been raped and impregnated.

Her own father was later arrested on suspicion of incest, but her was released due to a lack of evidence.

It has never been revealed who the boy’s father was and Lina and her family lived out their lives in private rather than sharing their story publicly.

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The boy lived until the age of 40 but passed away from bone disease in 1979.

According to reports, he wasn’t told Lina was his mum until he was ten, having previously believed she was his sister.

Lina went on to have a second son some 34 years later with her husband Raul.

It has also been reported that Lina received very little support after her historic birth.

Tragic life of world's youngest mum who had baby aged just fiveLina went on to have a second son 34 years later and reportedly worked as a private secretary (Bettmann Archive)

Raul later told the press: “She got no help that I know about. She thinks governments never deliver.”

'I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming''I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming'

He spoke 20 years ago when Lina was 68 – and according to Telegraph India, she was living in a “cramped house in a poor, crime-ridden district” in Peru.

They also reported how she remained private and refused requests to talk to outsiders about her past.

A book called Mother Aged 5 was also penned by obstetrician, Jose Sandoval who wrote: “The government condemned them to live in poverty. In any other country, they would be the objects of special care.

“We still have time to repair the damage to her. That’s my fundamental objective.”

It’s unclear whether Lina remains alive – but her age now would be 89 and she remains the youngest person to ever give birth.

Will Maule

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