Dominican Republic: Autopsy rules out malpractice in child's death

The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Public Prosecutions announced that a preliminary autopsy has dismissed claims of medical malpractice or physical assault in the death of three-year-old Willianny María Camacho García. The girl passed away at the Toribio Bencosme Hospital in Moca.

Forensic findings from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif) indicate the child succumbed to pre-existing medical conditions, specifically macrocephaly (enlarged head) and cardiomegaly (enlarged heart). These conditions, along with marked cerebral edema and other findings detailed in the report, ultimately led to her death.

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After the autopsy results came out, the child died from some pathologies that she previously had, not from medical malpractice as was said, nor from contusions and blows as we believed. The child died from macrocephaly and cardiomegaly. That is the enlargement of the heart. Those pathologies subsequently led to death.

"The child died from some pathologies that she previously had, not from medical malpractice as was said, nor from contusions and blows as we believed," stated Espaillat's chief prosecutor, Yorelbin Rivas, during a press conference. He added that the preliminary results do not support allegations of physical abuse.

While the initial report points to natural causes, it also notes that the conclusions are preliminary and subject to change pending further histopathological and toxicological studies. The case remains under investigation, with authorities considering whether the family was adequately informed about the child's ongoing medical care requirements.

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It is not a matter of abuse nor medical malpractice, but of some medical conditions. Possibly the family was not properly instructed on the continuous follow-up that the child required. That is what INACIF says.