Disturbing History: The Unsettling Case Of The 5 Year Old Mother From Peru

Born in September 1933 in the poverty-stricken district of Ticrapo, Peru, Lina Medina was one of nine children of Tiburelo and Victoria.

Once an ordinary, shy little girl, Lina’s life took a dramatic turn in May 1939, when, at just five years old, her mother rushed her to the hospital. Believing her daughter to be possessed by an evil spirit, she sought help after noticing Lina’s unusually swollen abdomen.

When examined by Dr. Gerardo Lozada, it was initially believed that Lina was suffering from a rapidly growing tumour. However, the doctor soon faced the shock of his life: the tiny girl, no more than three feet tall, was actually eight months pregnant.

Lina had a rare condition called precocious puberty, which caused her to begin puberty unusually early—before the age of eight. As a result, her body developed far ahead of other girls, and astonishingly, she had even begun menstruating at just eight months old.

Lina’s case quickly became a medical marvel, as she became the youngest person in recorded history to become pregnant, attracting widespread attention. Shortly after her arrival at the hospital, doctors determined that an emergency caesarean section was necessary, as her pelvis was far too small for a natural birth.

On 14th May 1939, under the watchful eyes of 35 doctors who had gathered to witness the extraordinary event, Dr. Lozada performed the surgery on Lina, who was just 5 years, 7 months, and 21 days old.

She gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing six pounds, whom she named Gerardo, in honour of the doctor who delivered him.

Confused and overwhelmed, Lina showed little connection with her newborn and seemed unable to grasp what had happened. She appeared indifferent to the baby’s presence, instead lying in her hospital bed and playing with a new doll she had been given.

At the same time, questions arose about the paternity of Lina’s child, as her mother insisted she had no knowledge of who was responsible.

Lina’s case soon captured national attention, with many skeptics believing the entire story to be a hoax. While doctors were eager to study the unprecedented medical phenomenon, it was one physician whose research would finally shed light on the extraordinary situation.

Dr. Edmundo Escomel conducted thorough examinations that dispelled any doubts, confirming that Lina’s ovaries were fully developed. He determined that a hormonal condition had caused her body to mature far earlier than normal, providing a scientific explanation for the astonishing pregnancy.

As he grew closer to the family, Dr. Escomel also sought to determine the identity of baby Gerardo’s father. Under Peruvian law, Lina’s pregnancy was considered evidence of rape, and the perpetrator would face imprisonment.

Despite extensive questioning, Lina never disclosed who had abused her, leading Dr. Escomel to suggest that she might not have known herself.

Lina’s father, Tiburelo Medina, was later briefly arrested on charges of incest and the rape of his daughter, but he was ultimately released due to insufficient evidence. To this day, many continue to suspect that he was the perpetrator.

Exhausted by the constant attention and scrutiny, Lina’s parents eventually took her and baby Gerardo home, deciding to raise Gerardo as Lina’s younger brother. The truth about his parentage would only be revealed to him when he turned ten.

As Lina entered adolescence, Dr. Lozada, who had delivered her baby, continued to support the family throughout her life. Her first job was working as a secretary in his clinic, where she received an education and a salary that helped cover her son’s schooling.

By 1972, Lina wed and had a second son - 33 years after birthing Gerardo.

Sadly, Gerardo Medina passed away at the tender age of 40 in 1979 of bone marrow disease.

In the years since, Lina has led a normal life and remained reluctant to any interviews, choosing to put the past behind her. Lina and her family now reside in Lima, Peru.

Today, she is 92 years old.