The education department of Region Five had to be called in on Monday to investigate a case of abuse of an eight-year-old Grade Three student of a West Berbice Primary School.
Reports are that although the incident occurred about three weeks ago the teachers only noticed the scars on his face on Monday when he turned out to school for the first time for the term.
This newspaper learnt that the mother reportedly pelted the child, the eldest of seven siblings, with a glass which broke and lacerated his face. The child was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he received over 30 stitches.
The child’s aunt subsequently took him away from his parents’ house and into her care. She continued taking him to the hospital for “dressing.”
Relatives apparently waited until the scars were almost healed before sending the child to school.
After noticing the wounds the teachers informed the officers from the School’s Welfare Section (SWS) of the Department of Education.
After making inquiries, the SWS reported the matter to the police and the lawmen took the child to the hospital to obtain a medical report.
The matter is still being investigated. A source from the SWS told this newspaper that the scars were evidence of the child being abused.
According to the source, the child’s grandmother (father’s mother) begged for the mother not to be locked up because the mother has to care for her young children.
The woman who works part-time to supplement her husband’s income reportedly got angry with the child and pelted him after he insisted on going to school. The woman reportedly wanted him to remain at home instead and take care of his siblings. However, the officers recognized that the mother needs help and said counselling may be provided for her.
Meanwhile on Friday at the Fort Wellington Court, Magistrate Nigel Hawke fined a father $15,000 after he admitted to charges of abusing his eight-year-old son.
Reports are that a vendor from the Rosignol market gave the child $600 to purchase salted fish but he never showed up with the money or the item. He later claimed that the money was lost and he was afraid to go back and tell the vendor.
Not believing his story, the father started cuffing the child several times about his body and face, injuring his eyes in the process. The incident occurred two Saturdays ago and the teachers observed the wounds the Monday after.
They did not report the matter though and it was only brought to the attention of the SWS during a visit to the school last week Thursday. The police were called in and the man was arrested and charged the following day.
Reports are that the child whose mother lives at a separate location with his sister became unconscious while receiving the blows and “his cousins had to throw water on him to revive him.”
And at the Blairmont Court on Monday, Magistrate Hawke placed a 46-year-old man on $100,000 bail when he appeared before him, charged with having carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl.
The man, said to be a friend of the girl’s father would visit their home where he committed the act on more than one occasion. The man was represented by attorney-at-law, Joel Persid Edmond. He is expected to return to court on May 21.
