Justice for Navarrete: Public Prosecutor’s Office requests pretrial detention for femicide suspect
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has formally requested the imposition of 18 months of pretrial detention against Edwin Reynaldo Rodríguez Cruz, 29, identified as the primary person responsible for the tragic murder of a 13-year-old girl. The victim’s body was located days ago in the waters of the Yaque del Norte River, in the municipality of Villa Bisonó, Navarrete.
In addition to the femicide charge, Rodríguez Cruz faces serious accusations for the sexual assault committed against the fatal victim and against another 14-year-old minor, who managed to survive the attack after hiding in a wooded area until dawn.
Research details
According to the preliminary report, the accused allegedly approached the two teenagers while riding a motorcycle, offering them a ride to go buy food. Under this ruse, he took them to a secluded area near the road that connects Navarrete with the Capilla community, where the abuses were perpetrated under threat with a bladed weapon.
Authorities indicate that, upon the 13-year-old girl’s attempt to escape, the accused fatally wounded her with a bladed weapon and subsequently threw her body into the river, which was recovered 48 hours later by rescue teams.
Alofoke DeportesCharged offenses
The prosecution has provisionally classified the facts under multiple serious crimes, among which the following stand out:
- Aggravated femicide.
- Aggravated sexual assault.
- Torture and acts of barbarity.
- Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
- Gender-based violence and death threats with a bladed weapon.
These charges are based on the Dominican Penal Code and Law 136-03, which protects the fundamental rights of children and adolescents. The Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Services of Santiago has scheduled the hearing for this Friday, October 9, 2026, where the requested coercive measure will be heard.
Multidisciplinary efforts
The case is being led by a high-level team that includes the National Directorate for Children, Adolescents and Family (Dinnaf), along with the specialized prosecutor’s offices of Santiago. The authorities are continuing with the collection of forensic and documentary evidence to ensure that the accused receives the full weight of the law for these events that have shocked the community of Navarrete.
