The Good Hope, East Coast Demerara teenager who was badly burnt while attempting to strain a pot of rice two weeks ago and who was reportedly being denied medical treatment by her parents, was yesterday rescued by Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) officers and taken to the hospital.
Head of the Agency, Ann Greene has confirmed that the child said to be 13 did have what appeared to be burn wounds to the body but indicated that she could not say much more as they are awaiting the doctor’s report.
Greene told Stabroek News that CC&PA officers went to the address and removed the child. She said that the Agency will now have to do an assessment of the home to look at the parenting skills to determine whether any intervention is necessary.
According to Greene, there are three children inclusive of the teenager living in the home but one of them is outside of the age range which would allow the agency’s intervention.
It was out of concern that a resident in the area contacted Stabroek News on Monday. The woman had explained that about two weeks ago the child was cooking rice but while attempting to strain it the pot fell, drenching her from her breasts down. The parents, the resident said, were drug-addicts and have refused to take the child to the hospital or accept help from neighbours.
She said that the child could be heard hollering in pain on a daily basis. She recently learnt that milk is being poured on the burns, after which the child in placed in front of a fan.
She expressed fear that if left unattended the burns could become infected.
The teenager and her sibling who is of primary school age, according to the neighbour, do not attend school.
Anyone wishing to make reports of child abuse or neglect can call the agency’s 227-0979 hotline number.
