“All I Want Is Justice” Grief and Outrage After the Death of an 11-Year-Old Haitian Girl on a School Trip in the Dominican Republic

On December 2, 2025, Haitian communities in Florida, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic woke up to heartbreaking news: the death of Stephora Anne-Mircie Joseph, an 11-year-old Haitian girl who lost her life during a school activity in the neighboring country.

Stephora was on a school trip in the province of Santiago along with more than 86 other students. The group was taken to a ranch with a swimming pool, a place that was supposed to offer fun and relaxation. Instead, it became the scene of tragedy.

According to her family, basic safety measures were not respected, and supervision for such a large group of children appeared limited or simply unacceptable.

Her mother, Lovelie Raphael Joseph, whose heart is broken, keeps repeating the same words in every conversation:

“All I want is justice.”

It is not only a cry of pain, but also a call for truth and accountability.

A Young Girl With a Future Ahead of Her

Stephora was not an ordinary child. Photos shared of her show a young girl with character, dignity, and a bright future. She was growing up with dreams, curiosity, and potential waiting to be developed.

The sadness of her family, friends, teachers, and community shows how deeply her loss is felt. A life full of promise was cut short.

Serious Safety Questions After the Tragedy

This story has reignited a major conversation about children’s safety during school activities, especially when they travel abroad and face different rules and standards.

Many questions remain unanswered:

• What kind of supervision was provided for the children at the pool?
• Did the school follow all required safety protocols?
• Was the location equipped with lifeguards or an emergency response team?
• Why did parents not receive quick and clear information about what happened?

The family is calling on authorities in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti to conduct a transparent investigation and to show respect for their daughter’s memory.

The Family Is Asking for Access to Security Footage

According to the Joseph family, many elements of the story are still unclear. They say they want to see video footage from security cameras, because parts of the official account do not match what they have been told.

They believe there are important details that should be made public but that are not yet available. This raises doubt and concern about how the case is being handled.

A Wake-Up Call for Parents, Schools, and Communities

Stephora’s death should not become just another story that circulates briefly on social media and disappears. It is a wake-up call for everyone involved in children’s lives:

• Parents need to ask more questions before authorizing trips and activities.
• Schools must make safety protocols non-negotiable.
• Activity centers and venues must have trained emergency staff on site.
• International school trips must be held to stricter standards and oversight.

Every child deserves to leave home and come back safely.

The pain of the Joseph family will never fully disappear, but their fight for truth and justice can help protect other children in the future.

This tragedy reminds us of a simple truth: children’s lives must never be treated lightly, and safety is not optional it is a shared responsibility.

Dralys Blog will continue to follow this story with care, respect, and compassion. Stephora deserved more in life, and her memory deserves truth and justice.