A child care assessment has uncovered dysfunction in the family of the rescued Good Hope girl, who was denied treatment for almost two weeks after suffering severe burns while attempting to strain a pot of rice.
According to head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) Ann Greene, the dysfunction needs to be addressed to ensure that the 13-year-old child and other children living in the home are protected.
She said from the assessment “they just might have to look for alternative care for the children.” She further stated that the matter is engaging the CC&PA’s full attention.
The agency is awaiting a report from the school where the child was said to be enrolled to ascertain if she would usually attend classes.
Greene stated that the child remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is being treated for the burns, which are not life threatening.
The Good Hope, East Coast Demerara teenager was allegedly deprived of medical attention by her parents for two weeks after she was burnt while straining the pot of rice. She suffered burns from her chest down.
She was rescued on Tuesday by child care workers after a concerned resident contacted Stabroek News on Monday and related the story. The resident stated that the parents were drug-addicts and had refused to take the child to the hospital or accept help from neighbours.
The resident also indicated that the girl and two other children living in the home would not attend school.