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Ricky Martin’s nephew who accused him of INCEST has mental health problems, singer's brother claims

The singer's brother Eric Martin has said that Dennis Sanchez, 21, had been estranged from the family after hurting other relatives
UPDATED JUL 17, 2022
Ricky Martin has vehemently denied all allegations (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Ricky Martin has vehemently denied all allegations (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Ricky Martin's nephew Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, who has accused him of incest and abuse, reportedly has "mental health problems."

The 'Livin' La Vida Loca' singer's brother Eric Martin has said that the 21-year-old had been estranged from the family after hurting other relatives. This comes after it emerged that Dennis has a lengthy criminal record in his native Puerto Rico and once threatened to kill a female co-worker. Claudia Ramirez Martell said she took out a restraining order against her colleague after he became "obsessed" with her and repeatedly turned up at their workplace saying he was planning to kill her. 

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Eric claimed in Facebook Live Video on Friday, July 15, that Dennis "has mental problems." He said that the family had been struggling to cope with the 21-year-old's deteriorating mental health but he was "tired of being quiet" about them. However, he admitted that he and his family still loved their troubled nephew. Ricky's legal team also told the Daily Mail on Friday that Dennis was "struggling with deep mental health challenges" as they strongly dismissed his "disgusting" accusations.



 

The claims against the 'Shake Your Bon-Bon' hitmaker emerged after Dennis, the son of the popstar's half-sister Vanessa Martin, filed a restraining order against his uncle on July 1. The order was related to a domestic violence incident in Puerto Rico but the victim's identity had been withheld. The alleged victim was later identified by Eric as Dennis, as reported by Spanish outlet Marca

Dennis accused Ricky of "exercising physical and psychological attacks" on him during their alleged seven-month relationship which he claims ended about two months ago. Ricky has vehemently denied the claims. “Unfortunately, the individual who brought this accusation has significant mental health issues," his lawyer Martin Singer told Fox 13 on Friday, July 15. "Obviously, Ricky Martin has never engaged in a sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew, nor would he ever do so. The idea is not only untrue, it is disgusting. We all hope that this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But, most of all, we look forward to this awful case being dismissed as soon as a judge gets to look at the facts." Earlier this month, a rep for the 50-year-old singer told People that the abuse allegations were "completely false and fabricated." Nonetheless, the pop sensation is expected to be present at a Puerto Rican court on July 21 for his trial. 



 

Dennis filed the aforementioned restraining order on July 1 under Puerto Rico's domestic violence law. The order prohibited his uncle from contacting or calling the plaintiff who allegedly "feared for his safety." The embattled nephew claimed in the order that he and Ricky broke up two months ago after dating for seven months, but that the singer did not accept the separation and loitered near his nephew's house on at least three occasions. Dennis also accused Martin of "consuming large amounts of alcohol and drugs."

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It's worth noting that Puerto Rican law takes allegations of incest rather seriously. In fact, the singer could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted. "The protection order entered against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the judicial process with the facts and the dignity that characterize me," the singer said in a statement. "Because it is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity, and I receive them with all my heart," he added.

(L-R) Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California.
(L-R) Jwan Yosef and Ricky Martin attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Ricky appears to be happily married to Jwan Yosef, a Syrian-born Swedish painter, since 2017. The duo has four children together -- 13-year-old twins Valentino and Matteo, as well as three-year-olds Lucia and Renn.

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