On Thursday, June 18, 2026, María Hilda N., also known as Lili N. and former Miss Puebla 1991, was released from prison after a judicial decision allowed her to continue her human trafficking case under electronic monitoring. She faces accusations of labor exploitation and abuse against one of her domestic workers, who reportedly suffered burns and lasting scars.

María Hilda was initially detained on March 18, 2023, in Puebla’s San Pedro neighborhood, following a controversial arrest earlier that month. Despite the serious allegations, including recruiting young women from municipalities like Zacapoaxtla, Cuetzalan, and Xochitlán de Vicente Suárez and subjecting them to harsh conditions, she spent less time behind bars than the victims endured under her alleged control.

The hearing that led to her release took place at the Tribunal de Enjuiciamiento near the San Miguel prison, with Judge Gabriel Pérez Rocha presiding. The oral trial, originally scheduled weeks ago, was postponed after her private defense attorney withdrew, prompting a public defender to take over and request more time to review the case files.

The investigation remains active, and a trial date is yet to be set to determine her guilt or innocence. Meanwhile, María Hilda will remain free but monitored electronically, a decision that has sparked debate about justice and accountability in cases of exploitation.

One victim, who began working for María Hilda at age 16 in June 2019, described enduring nearly four years of abuse in a home in the Jardines de San Manuel neighborhood. She recounted being physically assaulted, burned, forced to work in the rain, deprived of food and water, threatened with death or disappearance, and denied wages. Despite prolonged isolation, she escaped after 46 months and filed a formal complaint.

This case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable workers and ensuring that justice systems respond effectively to human trafficking and labor exploitation. It also raises questions about the balance between legal rights for the accused and the protection of victims, especially in a country where social inequalities often leave marginalized groups at risk.

As Puebla prepares to expand its public transportation infrastructure with projects like the cablebús, which aim to improve accessibility and social inclusion, the hope is that systemic changes will also extend to social justice and human rights enforcement.