13 minors rescued in Haina from alleged exploitation and abuse
Dominican authorities have launched an in-depth investigation following the discovery of 13 minors, ranging in age from three months to 13 years old, at a property located in the Las Paredes sector, in the municipality of Haina. The operation has uncovered a worrying situation that points to possible crimes of child abuse, human trafficking, and labor exploitation.
Police file details
According to the preliminary report from the National Police, the minors were housed in the aforementioned property under the guardianship of individuals linked to a pastor. Investigations suggest that the children were used for forced labor, specifically in construction and carpentry areas, activities totally inappropriate for their development.
The official document details the precarious conditions in which the infants were found, highlighting the following points:
- Systematic school absenteeism during their stay at the property.
- Reports of physical violence, including beatings and burns on the hands.
- Deliberate deprivation of food as a form of punishment.
- Existence of an organized structure for the reception and handover of the children.
The case involves children of very different ages, from a baby of just three months to 13-year-old teenagers, a situation that has generated special attention within the investigation.
Ongoing judicial process
Currently, security agencies are working on gathering testimonies and evidence to clarify the network of responsibilities behind these events. The authorities’ goal is to determine how the minors arrived at that location and to dismantle any exploitation scheme that has violated the fundamental rights of the rescued children.
The case remains under strict surveillance, while the Public Prosecutor’s Office and judicial authorities analyze the evidence presented to proceed with the corresponding coercive measures against those involved in this serious event that has shocked the community of San Cristóbal.
