After a thorough investigation by journalist Indira Vásquez published in Listín Diario early this Tuesday, December 9, the 11-year-old Haitian student, Stephora Ann-Merci Joseph, died of mechanical asphyxiation by drowning during a school trip organized in violation of the rules in force. The surveillance videos show a total lack of supervision for more than 30 minutes, during which time the child was drowning without the involvement of those present. The Santiago Public Prosecutor ' s Office requested coercive measures against four Leonardo Da Vinci Institute staff members accused of involuntary homicide and extreme negligence.
Twenty-five days after the tragedy, the report 552-2025 of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences determined the cause of death: mechanical asphyxiation by drowning, described as violent death. The report highlights the rapid occurrence of acute respiratory insufficiency.
No specific time of death could be established, although the events began at around 9:45 a.m., when the body was removed from the water only at 2:05 p.m.
A drowning filmed, but ignored
According to information published by Listín Diario, the young Stephora entered a swimming pool without signs. By reaching the deep part, it immediately began to sink. The video surveillance footage, mentioned by the prosecution, shows:
Stephora beating arms to call for help, children pointing towards her, hands raised and no reaction from the officials responsible for supervising minors.
The accused Francisca Josefina Tavarez Vélez is seen walking along the edge of the pool, passing by the child in distress without turning around. A little further, the other accused, Vilma Altagracia Vargas Morel, is filmed for 31 minutes using her phone and talking, without watching the pool. Stephora's body remained at the bottom of the water for 30 minutes, before being seen by another student.
Refusal to call for help
Another overwhelming factor: when students and an employee insisted on contacting 911 at 10:20 a.m., Francisca Tavarez responded: « No. They're calling the director. »
The school was called before the rescue. The mother, for her part, was contacted only an hour and twenty-five minutes later, and was falsely told that her daughter « vomited ». She was finally informed of the death four hours after her arrival at the scene.
An illegal excursion
Activity « Celebration of the Honorary Guard »was organized in direct violation of Ministerial Decree 09-2009, which prohibits any school outing in swimming pools, rivers, lakes or beaches. According to Civil Protection, the chosen location did not have:
- nor rescuers,
- or signs,
- or evacuation routes,
- or a minimum emergency protocol.
The school also did not check which students could swim. The victim's mother confirmed that Stephora could not swim.
Four officials prosecuted
The Santiago Public Prosecutor ' s Office requested coercive measures against four members of the Leonardo Da Vinci School: Yris del Carmen Reyes Adames, Administrative Director,
Gisela Altagracia de las Mercedes González, Coordinator General,
Francisca Josefina Tavarez Vélez, Counsellor,
Vilma Altagracia Vargas Morel, secondary coordinator.
They are accused of:
- manslaughter (article 319 of the Criminal Code),
- abandonment and ill-treatment of minors (article 351-2 of the Criminal Code),
- violation of Act 136-03 on the rights of children and adolescents.
According to the prosecution, the death of Stephora is the direct consequence of an illegal excursion, a dangerous environment, and extreme negligence.
W.A. with Listín diario
