Woman Cleared in Bizarre 'Doll in Coffin' Case That Shocked Panama
A Panamanian court has acquitted a woman accused of one of the most disturbing deceptions imaginable: faking a pregnancy, a baby's death, and even staging a funeral with a doll placed inside a tiny coffin.
The case, which has captivated and horrified the nation, centres on Tahira Edilka Montero and the extraordinary claims made by her ex-partner, Duvier Alexander Morales.
The Harrowing Allegations
According to Duvier Alexander Morales, from Bugaba, Panama, the tragic saga began on October 10, 2023. He states that his then-partner, Tahira Montero, informed him that their newborn daughter had died just three days after her birth in Panama City.
The family's grief culminated in a funeral held two months later, in December 2023. It was there, Duvier claims, he made a stomach-churning discovery. Peering into his 'daughter's' coffin, he allegedly found not the body of an infant, but a doll.
Prosecutors supported his account, alleging the doll had been dressed to resemble a deceased baby and that Montero had even applied face paint in an attempt to make it look more lifelike.
This alleged discovery led Duvier and his family to believe the entire pregnancy and subsequent loss had been an elaborate hoax. Their suspicions were strengthened when they could find no official records of the baby's birth or any hospital care.
The Legal Battle and Shock Acquittal
The prosecution built its case on several key points:
- Morales was prevented from attending any post-mortem discussions.
- Montero was accused of providing falsified documents related to the alleged child.
- The complete absence of any birth or medical records for the baby.
Despite this evidence, the court recently delivered a verdict that has left many stunned. Tahira Edilka Montero was acquitted of all charges.
The court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction, leaving Duvier Alexander Morales and his family without the answers they desperately seek.
The full reasons for this acquittal are set to be made public on December 5.
Seeking Answers and a Potential Appeal
For now, this deeply unsettling case remains officially unresolved, a source of intense public interest and speculation across Panama.
Duvier Alexander Morales and his legal team are not giving up. It is understood they are currently evaluating their options and are likely to launch an appeal against the acquittal in their continued pursuit of the truth.
This story serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often heartbreaking nature of the justice system, where definitive proof is paramount, even in the face of seemingly compelling allegations.
