The death toll mounted as girls succumbed to gruesome burns from Wednesday's disaster, which officials said began when mattresses were set afire during a protest by the shelter's residents.
Questions remained over why someone among the girls set the blaze and whether doors remained locked as the girls pleaded for their lives.
Parents and relatives said many of the young people at the shelter, which had both female and male residents, had been sent there because of abuse, poverty or family problems. Others were ordered there by judges after run-ins with police, officials said.
Maria Garcia, Siona's mother wailed and demanded justice. "Guatemala is full of violence," Garcia said. "They are raping and killing the poor's girls."
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At the entrance to Roosevelt Hospital, Claudia Tecun broke down in tears talking about her daughter Noemi Tecun Munoz, 17, who was being treated inside for burns over 70 percent of her body.
"The doctors say there isn't much hope she will live," Tecun said, weeping.
That was a reference to widespread reports, including from other victims' relatives, that some of the girls set mattresses on fire to protest their apprehension and return to the facility after fleeing the previous night because of mistreatment, bad food and fears of rape.
San Juan de Dios Hospital officials said late Friday that another girl had succumbed to her wounds, bringing the death toll to 37, with 19 dying at the scene and 18 others later while being treated as hospitals.
Soto said the government had obtained humanitarian visas for the children from US officials, but authorities were awaiting permission from the parents.
Geovany Castillo said his 15-year-old daughter, Kimberly, suffered burns on her face, arms and hands but survived. She was in a locked area where girls who took part in the escape attempt had been placed, he said.
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