Santiago de los Caballeros.– Although journalist Ramón Tolentino decided to personally drop the action against the teenager accused of threatening him with death with a firearm, the Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to keep the case open due to the seriousness of the matter and the circumstances surrounding the alleged possession of the weapon.
Tolentino left the Children, Girls and Adolescents Court this Friday after appearing before the jurisdiction and explained that his withdrawal did not stop the Prosecutor’s Office’s actions, which considered it necessary to continue with the case file.
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As a precautionary measure, the adolescent must report to the authorities every 15 days during the established period, while the Public Prosecutor’s Office concludes the investigations and determines the corresponding actions.
The communicator described what happened as worrying and directed his criticism mainly at the minor’s family environment, questioning the lack of supervision that, as he stated, was evidenced during the hearing.
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“A 15-year-old with a firearm is a situation we cannot overlook,” maintained Tolentino, stating that the case should spark reflection on the responsibility of parents and guardians in the upbringing and supervision of adolescents.
The journalist also revealed that, according to what was observed during the hearing, there appear to be difficulties in the minor’s family environment, including a lack of precise information regarding his place of residence and the contact details of family members responsible for his care.
Tolentino questions parents
Tolentino particularly questioned the father’s absence during the hearing and maintained that, regardless of where the adolescent lives, whoever has custody must guarantee their follow-up and protection.
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Likewise, he considered that the minor could have been manipulated by adults or people in his environment and requested that the investigations allow for determining if any person could have influenced his actions.
Although he reiterated that he does not intend to continue exposing himself to multiple audiences, Tolentino supported the Public Ministry investigating the case until the circumstances under which the adolescent allegedly had access to the weapon and made the threats are determined.
The file remains under the cognizance of the specialized jurisdiction for Children and Adolescents, while the authorities advance in the corresponding investigations.
In accordance with what has been stated regarding the case, the adolescent also allegedly directed threats against the director of the Central Investigation Directorate (DICRIM) in Santiago, a situation that has generated concern due to the content of the audiovisual that is circulating widely on social media.
The authorities must establish the circumstances under which the audiovisual material was produced, the origin of the weapon that the minor allegedly used, and whether there was the participation or influence of other people in the events under investigation.
The process will continue in the specialized jurisdiction, where the Public Prosecutor’s Office must establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threats and determine the corresponding responsibilities as the investigation progresses.
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During his exit from the court, Tolentino explained that he made the decision to withdraw personally because he does not seek to prolong the proceedings against him or be involved in further hearings. However, he clarified that this decision does not imply that the authorities should stop the investigations.
The communicator maintained that his main concern is related to the fact that a teenager of just 15 years old appeared in an audiovisual carrying what appears to be a firearm and making threats. In his view, this is a situation that must be clarified by the competent authorities.
The investigation must also determine how the weapon came into the minor’s hands, whether it was truly a firearm, and if there were any adults who could have facilitated his access to this type of object.
Another aspect that could be established during the investigation is the context in which the audiovisual was recorded and the people who were around the adolescent at the time of making the statements that gave rise to the process.
Tolentino stated that he does not intend to take a confrontational stance with the minor, but insisted that the authorities must determine what happened and establish whether there is the intervention of other people behind the threats.
The precautionary measure imposed allows the adolescent to remain linked to the process while the investigation is being carried out. During this period, they must comply with the periodic appearances established by the court.
The case has also once again brought attention to the responsibility of adults who have minors in their care, particularly when they have access to firearms or other items that may pose a risk to them or to third parties.
Tolentino insisted that the situation must be addressed through investigation and prevention, with the goal of understanding the circumstances that led the adolescent to make the threats and establishing what measures can prevent similar situations from occurring again.
