Preliminary reports are that it was a well-known and very talented French artist from Lyon, Georges Thevenet, who decided on the chemical to be used to fumigate the Piantini apartment, resulting in the intoxication of inhabitants of the apartment above. The fumigation took place on the 8th floor of Torre Da Silva III on Federico Geraldini Street in upscale Piantini.
The unknowing Acras had dined on sushi and first suspected they had been intoxicated from their dinner on Saturday, 20 January 2024.
The well-known artist works with wood and has had an impressive background with sculptures and woodwork sold here for years. He secures old wood that he cures and then incorporates into fine furniture and his works of art.
Now, it appears he will be accused of manslaughter. He was called in to assist with a case with termites. He used aluminum phosphate, a highly toxic chemical.
So far, of the family that lived above in the ninth floor apartment, two have died, including the mother, Adelle Ruiz Leon and her 2-month old baby girl. The father, Luis José Acra, and two-year old son are hospitalized.
As reported, the apartment’s owner, Karina Baussan contacted Thevenet, considering his expertise in working with wood problems.
The apartment had been rented to Andrea Pimentel. The owner took advantage of the absence of Pimentel to order the fumigation.
As reported in N Digital, supposedly the owner had reported the fumigation to the management of the building.
Thevenet is now under arrest awaiting for state prosecutors to press charges.
The Association of Fumigation Companies urges that the government ban toxic chemicals readily used for fumigation and only allow their use by professional companies.
The investigators found tablets of the toxic chemical still spread out on the floor of the unoccupied apartment.
It would be that many others could have died intoxicated by the highly poisonous product but it took the tragedy of a family in Piantini for the government to act.
The government also ordered a ban on the toxic product that is sold in stores that sell items for fumigation.
Listin Diario reports that the fumigation tablets are sold wholesale or retail, in bottles of 30 pills that cost around RD$500. No special permit or authorization is needed for an ordinary citizen to make the purchase.
Diario Libre reports prosecutors are looking into charging Thevenet with voluntary manslaughter for knowingly using a restricted toxic substance, which could mean a 30-year jail sentence. On the other hand, involuntary manslaughter carries a three month to two year sentence. Lawyer Francisco Alvarez says that the owner of the apartment, Karina Baussan could also face charges. Alvarez sees the case as one of involuntary manslaughter resulting from major negligence.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
N Digital
N Digital
N Digital
El Caribe
Listin Diario
El Informe con Alicia Ortega
23 January 2024