Parents deny Dominicans caused Haitian boy’s death in arson

BARAHONA, Dominican Republic.- The parents of the Haitian boy who died Monday blame compatriots for setting four houses on fire which caused their son’s death.

The local authorities also blame Haitians for the fatal arson in the sugar cane village La Altagracia, and are holding the Dominican Tomas Rivas Aquino and the Haitian Jony Pie, who together with Victor Matos, allegedly tried to assault Elvin Pie, father of the boy who died in the fire.

Matos was injured in the attempted holdup and is recovering in a hospital in Santo Domingo.

Barahona Police spokesman Jose de los Santos Perez said Aquino and Matos tried to rob Elvin Pie with two shotguns property of a construction company, where the two Dominicans work as security guards.

He said upon noticing the incident, several Haitians from La Altagracia went to defend the alleged thieves and set the houses on fire, for which the boy’s parents fled but forgot that their son was asleep.

The parents of the victim demand justice, while the Police says they are looking for five Haitians in connection with the fatality.