Woman sentenced to 30 years for death of 3-year-old stepdaughter after constant abuse in Espaillat

SANTO DOMINGO.– A court in Espaillat province sentenced a woman to 30 years in prison after finding her guilty of causing the death of her three-year-old stepdaughter, whom she constantly subjected to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse, the Public Ministry reported.

The sentence was imposed against Yaniris Martínez Cordero, after the accusing body demonstrated before the court that she committed acts of torture and barbarity against the minor, causing her death. Nichalson Nina, the girl’s father, was also sentenced to one year in prison for the case, after it was established that he was negligent in the care and protection of the minor. Martínez Cordero was found guilty of violating articles 295, 303-4 and 304 of the Dominican Penal Code, while Nina was convicted under article 357, numeral 3, of said legislation. During the trial, the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the maximum sentence for both defendants, arguing that the girl was a victim of constant physical and psychological abuse that ultimately led to her death. According to the file prepared by the investigating prosecutor Keyla Rosario, the event occurred on May 8, 2023, around 9:30 in the morning, when the Criminal Investigation Department of Gaspar Hernández was notified by a medical examiner that a minor had been brought lifeless to a health center in that municipality. According to the medical report, the girl arrived at the hospital without vital signs and, after examination of the body, a forensic autopsy was recommended.

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The autopsy results determined that the minor presented multiple old traumatic lacerations on the back and abdomen, in addition to other injuries consistent with constant abuse. Prosecutor Fernando Martínez, fiscal prosecutor for Children and Adolescents of that jurisdiction, established during the investigations that prior to the girl’s death, a non-aggression agreement had been made between the father and stepmother at the educational center where the minor studied. The measure was adopted because the girl frequently attended classes with visible bruises on different parts of her body, while several witnesses indicated that the stepmother constantly subjected her to acts of violence. Also, the preliminary autopsy report confirmed that the minor suffered from the so-called battered child syndrome, presenting with pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, hemorrhagic gastritis, cyanosis in the nail beds, and old scars on different parts of the body. Litigating prosecutors Yesiely Fabré and Luisa Rodríguez supported the accusation with various documentary, expert, and testimonial evidence that allowed them to demonstrate the criminal responsibility of both defendants. The sentence was handed down by the Collegiate Court of the Espaillat Judicial District, composed of judges Luis Rafael Diloné, Rosa Molina, and Ana María Jiménez. The court ordered that Yaniris Martínez Cordero serve the sentence at the Rafey Women’s Correction and Rehabilitation Center, in Santiago, while Nichalson Nina must serve the sentence imposed at the La Isleta penitentiary center, in Moca.