The authorities confirmed the arrest of the four teenagers accused of being involved in the murder of psychologist Karelis Merlano, occurred in a transit home in Barrancabermeja, Santander, a crime that has caused commotion in that city.
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According to the information provided by the Magdalena Medio Police, the last of the minors to be located was a 17-year-old boy who had escaped after the events and was found hours later by the authorities. With his capture, The four teenagers who were wanted in this case were arrested.
Karelis Yenissa Merlano Viana Photo:Supplied to EL TIEMPO
The Three other minors were located in different operations carried out by the Police in Barrancabermeja, after a search plan was activated following the homicide of the professional. All were left at the disposal of the competent authorities within the Criminal Responsibility System for Adolescents.
According to the preliminary hypothesis of the investigation, the crime occurred when the adolescents tried to escape from the foster home where they remained under institutional protection. In the midst of this situation, Karelis Merlano was attacked and lost her life.
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The authorities indicated that within the evidentiary material there are videos from security cameras that recorded the departure of the minors from the place after the attack. These recordings are part of the investigation that seeks to clarify how the crime occurred and establish the degree of participation of each of the adolescents.
The murder of the psychologist took place on the night of Wednesday, April 9, and caused rejection in Barrancabermeja. Merlano worked as a psychosocial professional at the transition home where the events occurred. and she was in charge of accompanying the teenagers who remained in that place.
Barrancabermeja, Santander. Photo:Barrancabermeja Mayor’s Office
The death of the official also revived concern about the security conditions in this type of institutions and for the protection of personnel who work with vulnerable populations and minors under rights restoration measures.
This case had already generated additional impact after it became known that, as reported in the first stage of the investigation, The victim had previously suffered an attempted murder, a precedent that was mentioned after learning of his death.
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For now, authorities are moving forward the judicial process against the four teenagers while they continue to compile evidence to fully clarify what happened inside the halfway house and determine individual responsibilities in the murder of Karelis Merlano.
It’s not time to be silent. Photo:THE TIME
#ItsNotTimeToSilence
If your life is at risk, you can call 123, the emergency line in Colombia. Also if you or a woman in your environment is a victim of psychological, physical, economic or sexual violence, you can contact the national line 155.
Likewise, you can report it on the lines of the Attorney General’s Office at the national number 018000919748, from your cell phone by dialing 122 or in Bogotá at 601 5702000.
Daniela Gutiérrez Munar
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