Judge Milagros Ramirez Cabrera of the Ninth Criminal Chamber of the National District has sentenced Elizabeth Silverio Silien to five years in prison for the illegal practice of medicine and psychology. This ruling follows a retrial after a previous conviction was overturned last year when the at the time 30-year old woman was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Silverio Silien was found guilty for the second time of posing as a neuroscientist and psychologist to provide specialized therapies to children on the autism spectrum. The court determined that she conducted clinical evaluations and medical recommendations without possessing the required academic qualifications or legal accreditation.
The defendant operated the Knowledge Land Neurocognitive and Psychopedagogical Therapy Center, which was closed by health authorities after irregularities were exposed in May 2023 by a Nuria Piera investigative report.
In October 2024, Silverio was originally sentenced to seven years by the Third Collegiate Court. However, that sentence was annulled by the Court of Appeals in October 2025, leading to the current proceedings.
Despite the five-year sentence, Judge Ramírez Cabrera ruled that the defendant will not be sent to prison immediately. Silverio will remain at liberty until the judgment is final, as the court noted she has complied with all judicial summons and has not shown a risk of flight.
The prosecution had initially requested a seven-year term and a fine equivalent to 50 minimum wages, emphasizing the “double vulnerability” of the victims, being minors and having neurodivergent conditions.
“The conviction was for the illegal practice of medicine using false documents. Additionally, as before, she was ordered to pay a compensation of RD$2 million (approximately US$31,500) in favor of the nine victims constituted as plaintiffs and civil parties, and was sentenced to pay the criminal and civil costs in favor of the lawyers representing their interests.”
Silverio violated Article 151 of the Dominican Penal Code, which penalizes the use of false documents; Article 405, which punishes fraud; and Article 156, numeral 7 of the General Health Law 42-01, which prohibits the practice of health professions without the proper accreditation.
Elizabeth Silverio made headlines when the case was aired on N Investiga by Nuria Piera on 20 May 2023. Piera questioned the authenticity of the degrees with which Silverio presented herself as a neuroscientist and a professional trained to treat children with autism spectrum disorders.
Silverio was so convincing in her role that the National Congress used her as a consultant in the making of the national autism law.
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N Digital
Nuria Investiga
15 April 2026