Director of the Child Care & Protection Agency Anne Greene yesterday said that her agency is working to get two sisters out of Port Kaituma, Region One following reports that a man charged with sexually abusing one of them is once again living in the same home, even as the trial continues at the Mathew’s Ridge Magistrates Court.
Greene told Stabroek News that while the Probation Officer in the area has been unable to ascertain whether the accused, Vibert Henry, is indeed living in the same home with the children the reports are serious and they will be removing the children. According to her, the officer indicated that when he visited the home, which is located in an area called Canal Backdam, on the outskirts of Port Kaituma, the man was not there.
“Since the police are saying they don’t have anything to hold him and it is reported that he is in the same home we are working to get the girls out,” Greene said.
Following complaints from residents, the police had arrested the man three Saturdays ago but released him hours later, indicating that the man was on bail and an arrest warrant was not issued for him.
Yesterday a neighbour of the family told Stabroek News that Henry was still in the home and the female with whom he shares a relationship continues to leave the children alone with him. The resident confirmed that the Probation Officer visited the home on Wednesday afternoon, but that the man ran away. “When the boat reach the landing, one of the little boys [Henry’s son] peep and run upstairs and then he run away,” the neighbour said.
The neighbour said a relative of the two sisters met the officer at the riverside and after they spoke, the officer left. The resident pointed out that the officer did not go up to the house and, as such, even if there were evidence that Henry was in the home, such as his clothing being there, the officer would not have known.
“I really sorry for them girls because they don’t have a mother and if that could happen to them before why it can’t happen again?” the resident asked.
Last year Henry was charged with sexually molesting the 11-year-old and the prosecution had indicated that he faced charges of a similar nature in connection with the younger sister who was nine at the time. It is not clear if he was charged again but when he made his initial appearance in court he had apologised for what he did to both of the girls. He was subsequently placed on bail and shortly after returned to the home with his common-in-law wife. The girls, who were living with their grandparents, were then taken back to the house.
Residents said the children seldom attend school and it was not only the two girls who were being kept away from classes but also the three children Henry has with his wife.
Before Henry was charged last year residents had complained to this newspaper since the man was arrested and then placed on bail and pressure was being put on the family to forgive him.
