Body of pregnant teen found in suitcase on side of road

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The body of a pregnant teen from the Dominican Republic was discovered in a suitcase on the side of the road.

Police have confirmed that the remains found Friday were of 16-year-old Emely Peguero, who was five months pregnant, according to People.

Further examination revealed that Peguero had suffered a blunt blow to the head and her uterus was punctured, according to the Dominican Republic Attorney General’s Office. The mutilation to her uterus indicated she had an abortion, which is illegal in the country.

Her boyfriend Marlon Martinez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested after he allegedly confessed to dumping her body in a landfill. He told authorities that he panicked when she died from an abortion.

Authorities searched the landfill and did not find her body.

His mom Marlyn Martinez has also been detained in connection to her death. Before the body was found, she allegedly offered information to police on Peguero’s whereabouts and was arrested.

Authorities took into custody a third person whose identity has not been released.

The Martinez family has reportedly received threats since the arrests.

“While I agree that this is a horrendous tragedy, and my heart breaks for Emely and her family, it also breaks for Marlon, Marlyn and their family,” Criminal Justice Reform Advocate Leyla Martinez told People. “It hurts to see how people are calling for them to be stoned or lynched.”

A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for Peguero’s funeral.

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