The four children of Pine Ground, Mahaicony Creek rescued from dire circumstances are still in the custody of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, undergoing counselling and medical check-ups.
Ten-year-old Anita Pooranmal along with her siblings, Sanjay called Radesh, 9, Ritesha, 8, and Avinash, 7 were removed from the creek on Tuesday morning when the staff from the ministry visited and saw their condition.
This newspaper had reported that Anita had to tend to her siblings after their mother, 22-year-old Ann Rosita Boodhooo left them one year ago to escape from her alcoholic and abusive husband, Gupta Pooranmal.
Boodhoo, of Canal Number One Polder had eloped with Gupta at the age of 12 while he was in the area trapping birds. She had told this newspaper that since she moved with him to the creek she suffered hardship and abuse.
The day she walked out “for good” was the third day that she and her children had been without food. She said she begged the children to go with her but only Sanjay agreed. The father had taken the children to stay with her but shortly after he returned for them.
Last evening, Minister Priya Manickchand said that thorough medical check-ups and a study of the children’s circumstances are being done. After that, she said it would be decided where would be the best home to place them in.
Gupta told this newspaper by telephone yesterday that when he and his uncle, Kesarchandra Kawal went to the ministry the children were undergoing medical tests at the hospital and he did not get to see them.
He was told that his children would not be sent back to the creek and was begging to have them back because he missed them.
Kawal also said that Gupta was “crying” a lot for the children and that if they go back home he would help him to care for them.
Minister Manickchand pointed out that when children are taken away from homes it is not because of poverty and that “poverty is not an excuse.” She said if it is found that the children are being neglected and are not properly cared for her ministry would move them out “as quickly as possible.”
She also pointed out that even if this newspaper had brought the children’s plight to her attention before publishing it she would have “acted with speed.”
The minister noted too that “we are investing in the interest of the children and we would also help the father [with his alcoholic problem].” After helping him, she said the ministry would decide if he is capable of taking care of the children.
She said her ministry would also try to get in touch with the children’s mother today. Meanwhile, Gupta’s uncle, Sewsankar said that persons are “blaming” him for the children being taken away.
The man maintained that all he did was to try to ensure a better life for the children. He said they did not deserve what they were going through and he could not see them suffering like that.
Relatives had said the older children, were happy to go with the ministry officials as they understood that it was for their “betterment.” However Avinash was scared and started to cry; he thought that the officers were police.
This newspaper was told that the officers asked for the birth certificates and Gupta provided them with the document for three children.