(Trinidad Express) A mother appeared before the San Fernando Court on Monday charged with neglecting her two children.
Candace Dieal, 38 of Gasparillo, faced senior magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine.
It was alleged that she had responsibility for children aged three and ten years old and wilfully neglected them in a manner likely to cause suffering to their physical health on December 14.
The charge was laid under Section 4 of the Children’s Act by constable Nicole St John of the Child Protection Unit.
Antoine asked about the whereabouts of the children and police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said the Children’s Authority had placed the younger one with her father in Arima and the boy was with a godparent.
The names and addresses of these people are to be given to the court when the matter is next called on Friday.
The end of term school records for the standard four, ten year-old boy is also to be produced. Antoine said this will show his punctuality, regularity and marks from over the last school term.
A probation officer’s report was also ordered for the matters.
Dieal was also told to have her bailor present on that day. She was placed on $100,000 bail at the Ste Madeleine police station.
It was alleged that around 11 p.m. neighbours heard screaming and crying coming from the inside of the house of the accused and contacted the police. Officers found the two children were alone. They contacted the accused who kept saying she was on her way. The children were taken to the police station.
