READING, Pa. – A family from the Dominican Republic closes another chapter to a tragic story during a sentencing hearing Tuesday afternoon, in relation to a triple homicide in Reading last year.
A family traveled to the U.S. and obtained justice.
“We’re grateful because it’s not a relief, but the closing of a chapter,” says Heinel Medrano, Geraldina Peguero Mancebo’s cousin.
The case has been an emotional roller coaster since Geraldina Peguero Mancebo, her husband Junior Cabrera Colon, and their 1-year-old baby went missing in Reading.
“At first we thought maybe she was scared, she might be running,” Medrano says.
Days later, Junior was found dead.
“We thought she was alive because scammers gave us false hope,” Medrano says.
Meanwhile, Jose Rodriguez from Reading contacted the family in the Dominican Republic, pretending to be a worried friend.
“Everyone thought he was helping us until we found out a few days later that it was him,” Medrano says.
The truth emerged when police called Geraldina’s sister.
“She screamed so loud everyone realized it,” Medrano says.
Geraldina and Junior met their tragic end with a bullet.
“The baby got the worst of it,” Medrano says.
Their baby was thrown alive into a pond, drowning to death.
The family shares a message: “We need to learn to forgive because I can’t imagine what that man must have in his head to do that,” Medrano says.
Like many immigrants, they had come seeking a better life.
“My cousin understood that by coming here she would give her mother and children back home a better life, it was a sacrifice,” Medrano says.
They leave young children behind in the Dominican Republic.
“I promise we’re going to take care of the children, raise them, and do everything we can to give them the best life they deserve,” Medrano says.
Rodriguez faces life in prison.
“Breathing the same air as him was so difficult,” Medrano says.
But forgiveness.
“It was truly liberating,” Medrano says.
They remember their loved ones:
“From my cousin, to always carry a smile and have faith,” Medrano says. “From Junior, patience. He was always calm and loved his kids.”
The family says they will now travel back home and focus efforts on providing the best life they can to the orphaned children in the Dominican Republic.