The Puerto Rico Department of Justice filed a criminal negligence charge against Samirie Soto Kuilan, a preschool teacher accused of negligence toward a seven-month-old baby who suffered burns while in her care at a preschool center in San Juan. According to the investigation, the events occurred on June 11, when Soto Kuilan, who was the teacher in charge of an infant classroom, placed an electrically powered bottle warmer on the floor of the area designated for the babies to crawl.
The baby, who was in that area, crawled to the warmer and came into contact with the hot water, suffering burns to an arm, the back and the jaw that required medical attention. Prosecutors Karina Lasalle Arroyo and Valeria Garay González filed the negligence charge against Soto Kuilan under Article 54(a) of Law 57-2023, known as the Law for the Safety, Welfare and Protection of Minors.
Judge Dayra Infante Bosques, of the San Juan Court of First Instance, found probable cause for arrest and set bail at $5,000. The defendant will remain under electronic supervision. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for November 9.
The investigation was handled by agent Dashuayra Vélez, assigned to the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Division of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau in San Juan.