A custody dispute has arisen concerning the four Indigenous children who miraculously survived a plane crash and endured 40 days alone in the Amazon rainforest. Their resilience has captivated global attention. The siblings, aged 1 to 13, remain hospitalized and are expected to stay for several more days. During this time, Colombia's child protection agency is interviewing family members to ascertain who is best suited to care for them following their mother's death in the crash.

Astrid Cáceres, head of the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare, stated that a caseworker has been assigned to the children at the request of their maternal grandparents, who are seeking custody against the father of the two youngest children. The agency is investigating the family dynamics and hasn't ruled out the possibility of past domestic abuse. Cáceres emphasized the importance of prioritizing the children's physical and emotional well-being.

The children's grandfather, Narciso Mucutuy, has accused the father, Manuel Ranoque, of domestic violence against their mother, Magdalena Mucuty. Ranoque admitted to verbal altercations but downplayed the physical aspect. He has not been granted access to the two older children at the hospital.

The children were on a flight with their mother from Araracuara to San Jose del Guaviare on May 1 when the Cessna's engine failed. The ensuing crash claimed the lives of the three adults on board. The children, resourceful members of the Huitoto Indigenous group, survived by foraging for cassava flour, seeds, and fruits familiar to them from their upbringing.

After their rescue, the children were transported to Bogota and then to a military hospital for medical care and psychological support, provided with cultural sensitivity through spiritual ceremonies and familiar foods. Lesly, the eldest, revealed that their mother survived for four days after the crash.

Dr. Robert Sege, a pediatrician at Tufts Medical Center, highlighted the significance of a supportive environment for the children to process their trauma and emotions, noting that coping mechanisms vary with age. He praised Lesly's leadership in ensuring the survival of her younger siblings.

The wreckage was located two weeks after the crash, but the children remained missing for several more weeks. An extensive search operation, involving food drops, flares, and recorded messages from their grandmother, finally led to their discovery about 3 miles from the crash site. General Pedro Sanchez, who oversaw the search, explained that rescuers had unknowingly come close to the children on multiple occasions.

Lesly's courage and resourcefulness in protecting her siblings in the challenging jungle environment, filled with dangers like snakes, poisonous frogs, and other wildlife, has been widely commended. The youngest child celebrated their first birthday during their time in the wilderness.