The body of Emely Peguero, a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was found in a suitcase on the side of the road on Friday
Remains of pregnant 16-year-old Emely Peguero and her fetus were found Friday buried in a suitcase on the side of a road, police in the Dominican Republic say.
Peguero, a citizen of the country, was five months pregnant with her American boyfriend Marlon Martinez’s child before a local Attorney General’s Office determined Peguero died after suffering trauma to her uterus and a blunt trauma to the head.
Peguero was last seen the morning of August 23 before she left home with him.
Martinez, 19, since confessed to dumping his girlfriend’s body in a ditch after he claimed to police she had fatal complications from an abortion performed at a medical center in San Francisco de Macorís.
Unlike several other Latin American countries, abortion is prohibited in the Dominican Republic, according to dr1.com.
Marlon Martinez and his mother, Marlyn Martinez, were both arrested and detained in the country after Marlyn confessed to authorities she knew the whereabouts of Peguero’s body.
A third suspect, whose name was not released, was also taken into custody for their possible involvement in dumping the body.
Emely Peguero and her fetus were found Friday buried in a suitcase (seen above) on the side of a road, police in the Dominican Republic say
Fetal remains were found in the body of Peguero who was confirmed to be five months pregnant at the time. Tests also showed that her uterus was punctured and she suffered a blunt blow to the head
Marlon Martinez, the boyfriend of the 16-year-old and a U.S citizen, and his mother Marlyn Martinez have since been detained
Marlon and Marlyn Martinez admitted their involvement in transferring her body
Authorities say they identified the doctor who Martinez claims performed the deadly operation on Peguero. His identity will be released during court hearing.
Peguero’s heartbroken mother, Adalgiza Polanco, previously spoke publicly on the nightmare event in hopes to reach the public and receive help in finding several missing pieces to the puzzle.
‘I know that my daughter is not alive, but the least they can do is give me back the body to cry with,’ Polanco said on national TV, before her daughter’s body was discovered Friday.
The strewed story has since created worldwide controversy.
Peguero’s heartbroken mother, Adalgiza Polanco, wants answers to the missing pieces
‘I know that my daughter is not alive, but the least they can do is give me back the body to cry with,’ Polanco said on national TV before her daughter’s body was discovered Friday
Further investigation on the horrific incident is underway
Marlon, Marlyn and their lawyer, César José Hernández, received numerous death threats since death of the teen broke
Marlon, Marlyn and their lawyer, César José Hernández, received numerous death threats since the news broke.
Hernández revealed in an interview with People Chica that both he and his family ‘have been threatened with physical assault and damage to goods and property.’
He told the magazine: ‘I have been slandered by the media and social networks. But I understand that ignorance is free and bold.’
Criminal Justice Reform Advocate, Leyla Martinez, said public reactions following the tragedy have been heartbreaking all around.
‘While I agree that this is a horrendous tragedy, and my heart breaks for Emely and her family, it also breaks for Marlon, Marlyn and their family.
‘It hurts to see how people are calling for them to be stoned or lynched,’ she said.
The family’s attorney told the magazine his clients plan to prove their innocence as closer investigation plays out in following weeks and months.
The Martinez family said they plan to prove their innocence as investigation plays out