The sentence stems from an incident that occurred on July 20, 2021, in the Los Corales neighborhood of Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic.
The victim, Mayelin Gómez Encarnación, 17, was in an apartment with urban artist Michael Valdez de la Rosa (known as “El Crok”) and his three aunts: Dariolis “Cristal” Encarnación (25), Dorca Encarnación (27), and Carola Encarnación (28).
The minor suffered sudden health complications, was found unconscious with visible bleeding, and was rushed to a medical center, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The autopsy (report A-0690-2021, issued on October 29, 2021) did not reveal the presence of drugs or alcohol in her system, but did reveal physical signs of sexual assault, such as abrasions, edema, and bruises consistent with forced and prolonged penetration, suggesting possible recent and prior abuse.
The case was initially tried in April 2024, resulting in an acquittal due to insufficient evidence. The victim’s parents appealed as civil plaintiffs, leading to a retrial.
On October 16, 2025, the Second Collegiate Court of the province of Santo Domingo convicted the four defendants under Article 319 of the Dominican Penal Code (involuntary manslaughter) and Article 396 of Law 136-03 (Code for the Protection of the Rights of Children, Adolescents, and Youth).
Prison Sentence: Five years in prison for El Crok and each of the three aunts.
A joint compensation of five million Dominican pesos (approximately US$83,000) to the victim’s parents.
All those convicted remain free pending appeals, as the sentence is not yet final.
The ruling provides some accountability and financial compensation, but it has not brought complete closure. The father, Martínes Gómez, expressed his deep discontent, stating, “They conspired to harm my daughter. There’s still one of them at large.
It’s voluntary death, not involuntary.” He plans to appeal for a more severe classification of voluntary manslaughter. This highlights the lingering emotional trauma and the feeling that justice was incomplete, which could prolong the legal battles.
As a prominent urban artist known for hits like “Pepe,” El Crok’s five-year sentence, if upheld, will likely halt his musical production, performances, and industry involvement during his incarceration.
This could damage his reputation in the Dominican urban music scene, potentially resulting in the loss of income, fan support, and collaborations.
Further scrutiny could arise over the artists’ personal conduct, affecting the perception of public figures in similar cases.
The three sisters, relatives of the victim, face the same prison sentence, which would disrupt their lives and family dynamics. This highlights the potential breakdown of family protection roles, as they were supposed to protect the minor but were implicated in the events that led to her death.
The case has generated diverse reactions in the entertainment industry, with some considering it a warning about responsible social gatherings with minors.
Victims’ rights advocates have called for greater protections for adolescents and harsher penalties in comparable situations, which could influence public discourse on youth safety, substance use (although not mentioned here), and accountability in nightlife or private settings. This could lead to increased awareness campaigns or policy debate to prevent similar tragedies.
The successful appeal demonstrates the Dominican judicial system’s responsiveness to challenges, but also exposes initial shortcomings, such as the 2024 acquittal.
Forensic evidence of abuse was crucial in overturning that decision, setting a precedent for relying on medical reports in homicide cases involving minors.
If appealed again (for example, in cassation), it could prolong proceedings, exhausting appeals and delaying closure.
This high-profile conviction may deter risky behavior in celebrity circles, but it could also fuel the stigma against urban artists, associating the genre with controversy.
On the positive side, it strengthens legal protections under child rights laws, which could encourage more reports of abuse or neglect.
The compensation offers financial relief to parents, although it cannot compensate for their loss. For those convicted, making the payment while facing imprisonment could result in the liquidation of assets or long-term debt.
This case concludes a four-year legal saga with a conviction that balances liability for involuntary manslaughter and recognizes the absence of intent, according to the court’s classification.
However, the father’s intention to appeal suggests unresolved tensions, particularly around evidence of sexual abuse, which could warrant a reclassification to a more serious charge.
Broader lessons include the crucial role of forensic science in justice outcomes and the need for proactive safeguards for minors to prevent such incidents.
Ultimately, while the ruling has a deterrent effect, it underscores systemic shortcomings in addressing underlying problems such as potential abuse, which calls for increased education, law enforcement, and support for vulnerable youth in the Dominican Republic.
