The Public Ministry described Saturday as homicide involuntary death Stephora Anne-Mircie Josephthe 11-year-old girl who lost her life due to drowning on November 14 during a excursion organized by the Leonardo Da Vinci School on the farm The Horseslocated in Gurabo, Santiago.
Details about the investigation of the case
As part of the investigation, authorities arrested four members of the educational center, identified as directly and indirectly responsible for the decisions that led to the tragedy. The detainees are:
- Yris del Carmen Reyes Adamesadministrative director,
- –Gisela Gonzalezgeneral coordinator and advisor to the management team,
- Francisca Josefina Tavarez Vélezcounselor, and
- –Vilma Altagracia Vargas Morelsecondary level coordinator.
The authorities maintain that the death of the minor occurred in circumstances that show gross negligencewhich supports the classification of involuntary manslaughter. According to the preliminary investigation, the school transferred 87 students with barely three caregiverswithout adopting minimum security measures, despite the fact that the tour included areas with deep pools.
Circumstances of the death of the minor
The Public Ministry claims to have evidence that demonstrates that they did not take life jacket neither vestsit was not assessed whether the children knew how to swim and no provisions were made about the risk posed by aquatic facilities. Furthermore, in videos compiled by the investigators, it is observed—according to the prosecuting body—”a extreme negligence“in the supervision of the minor, as well as serious failures in the organization of the trip.
On instructions from the Attorney General, Yeni Berenice Reynosothe case is in charge of the deputy prosecutor Wilson Camacho and the court attorney Olga Diná Keychainsfrom the General Directorate of Persecution and the National Directorate of Children, Adolescents and Families (Dinnaf).
Actions of the Public Ministry after the tragedy
As part of the proceedings, the Public Ministry requested the Ministry of Education carry out a joint inspection of the Leonardo Da Vinci School to identify possible practices that violate the best interests of the child and review the protocols for excursions, security and student supervision.
The authorities announced that in the next few hours they will request coercive measures against the four arrested, while investigations continue to establish all criminal responsibilities linked to the case.
