The Childcare and Protection Agency has launched an investigation into the death of 12-year-old Raiwattie Pooran, who was struck by a vehicle while in the care of the Bless The Children home.
Ann Greene, the Director of Children’s Services and Head of the Childcare and Protection Agency, yesterday confirmed to Stabroek News that the investigation is underway.
Pooran succumbed to injuries some seven weeks after she was struck down along the Industry Public Road on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
The accident occurred on April 24th, 2022, on the said road, while the child was under the supervision and custody of the Bless The Children home, located in Industry Crown Dam, ECD.
Greene said that based on enquiries done so far, the orphanage has indicated that Pooran was heading to a nearby shop when she allegedly ran across the road.
“…They go sometimes to the shop to purchase stuff…it is not a case of neglect or something…she’s a big girl so they go out and buy things and so on, and they said she ran across the road.”
Greene also said that the reason for the home’s Supervisor not visiting Pooran while she was in the hospital was due to past grief that she (the Supervisor) had experienced in the ward where Pooran was admitted. She said the woman planned on visiting the girl when she was removed from the ward but she subsequently died.
Pooran’s family had previously told this newspaper that someone from the orphanage was required to sign an authorization in order for the 12-year-old to be placed on an ventilator, however, no one from the orphanage showed up for approximately three days to sign the document.
Replying to the claim, the Director said that she cannot answer as it relates to why the orphanage may have delayed in signing the authorization for Pooran, since systems are in place for such procedures to be quickly done.
Asked what the procedure entails, the woman said, “They get to Child Care, we get a protective order from the court so that we could get those things sign…that’s where the Act and me, the Director, could step in.”
Greene added that the investigation goes deeper than expected and urged persons not to assume or cast blame on any parties.
Apart from the ministry, the police is also investigating the child’s death and the driver who struck her may be charged pending the outcome of the investigation.
