He Public Ministry requested before the Ninth Criminal Chamber of the National District the imposition of seven years in prison on the self-proclaimed neuroscientist Elizabeth Silverio Silienaccused of usurping functions in the health area through the Knowledge Land Center for Neurocognitive and Psychopedagogical Therapies (Kogland).
Likewise, the prosecuting body requested the imposition of a fine equivalent to 50 minimum wages, the confiscation of the evidence seized and the variation of the existing coercive measure, considering that the accused was already convicted in a first trial and faces the probability of a new conviction, which increases the danger of flight, added to the seriousness of the damage caused to several families and the entire society.
During the presentation of its conclusions, the prosecuting body, represented by the court attorney Magalys Sánchez and the fiscal attorney Laura Vargas, maintained that the defendant developed a scheme of scam to the detriment of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (TORCH), posing as a doctor in neuroscience and a psychologist, without having the academic training or the legal accreditations required and that regulate practice in these areas.
The Public Ministry explained to Judge Milagros Ramírez Cabrera that, after learning of the facts, it began an objective investigation that made it possible to verify that the accused does not have a valid academic record or legal authorization to practice professions related to health, in accordance with certifications issued by foreign universities, the Ministry of Public Healthhe Dominican College of Psychologists and the Executive Branch.
As part of his actions, Silverio used falsified documents, including university degrees and a number of exequatur non-existent, with whom he pretended to have professional training that he did not possess, thus managing to generate trust in the families and attract patients to whom he offered services at his center.
The testimonial evidence presented before the court, especially that offered by the parents of the affected minors, constituted as plaintiffs and civil actors, showed that the accused carried out evaluations, issued diagnoses and applied therapies without professional endorsement, even going so far as to diagnose clinical conditions non-existent, which caused effects on the children’s health and delays in the application of the professional therapies suitable.
The prosecution body also highlighted that the center operated by the accused operated without the authorizations required by the competent authorities, and was subsequently closed by the Ministry of Public Health, after irregularities in its operation were verified.
Likewise, financial reports incorporated into the process showed that the activity carried out by Silverio Silien had lucrative purposes and allowed him to receive significant income as a result of the services offered to families, which confirms that deception was used as a mechanism to obtain economic benefits.
The Public Ministry highlighted that these maneuvers constitute a very serious fact, as they are victims in a vulnerable condition, as they are children who require specialized care, which is why their families placed their trust in Silverio Silien in the hope of finding solutions.
In that sense, it indicated that the conduct displayed by the accused is subsumed in the criminal types of fraud, falsification and use of false documents, in violation of articles 147, 148, 150, 151 and 405 of the Dominican Penal Codeas well as articles 92, 93 and 156, paragraph 7, of General Health Law 42-01 and article 12 of Law 136-03 on the Protection System and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents.
After the presentation of the conclusions of the Public Ministry, as well as the plaintiff and the defense, Judge Milagros Ramírez Cabrera, of the Ninth Criminal Chamber of the National District, closed the debates and retired to deliberate, setting the ruling for next Tuesday, April 14, 2026, starting at 2:00 in the afternoon.
