In the developing case surrounding the tragic death of 11-year old Stephora Joseph during a school field trip on 14 November 2025, a Santiago court imposed precautionary measures on three defendants linked to the alleged negligence. A fourth defendant was released without restrictions after being deemed unconnected to the fatal event. The accused all worked at the Instituto Integral Da Vinci school in Gurabo, Santiago that organized the excursion to the Hacienda Los Caballos. The child would drown in a swimming pool.
Judge Yeritza Cabra, presiding over the Santiago Permanent Attention Court, authorized Yris del Carmen Reyes Adames, administrative director of the school; Francisca Josefina Tavárez Vélez, psychology guidance staff; and Vilma Altagracia Vargas Morel, high school coordinator, to post a bond of RD$500,000 (approximately US$8,500) and to appear periodically before authorities as the investigation continues.
In the case of Gisela Altagracia de las Mercedes González Estrella, general coordinator at the school, the judge determined that she did not participate in the field trip, leading to her immediate release without any imposed measures.
The decision for placement of bonds was met with immediate and strong rejection from Stephora’s family. The defense argued that the court’s actions fail to hold all responsible parties accountable. They also insist that the legal proceedings must be expanded to include executives from the educational center and staff from the location where the drowning occurred.
The defense has also requested that the family be allowed to review the other videos. As reported, the family was only shown two of the 22 videos that were sent to the Public Ministry, as reported in Listin Diario
The family’s legal counsel previously described the events captured on video as “heart-wrenching,” noting that the child was seen “crying out for help” without anyone intervening to assist her. The video showed the school caretaker was distracted by her mobile.
Read more:
Noticias SIN
El Nacional
El Nacional
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
DR1 News
DR1 News
11 December 2025