…Child Protection Agency takes child into its care
The child holding his blood-soaked shirt after he was allegedly beaten by his mother
A shocking incident unfolded on Thursday when a 10-year-old boy, allegedly beaten by his mother, was reportedly rescued by his neighbour. The boy, with a gaping wound to his head, was trying to escape from his mother following an alleged beating at his home at North Victoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
According to Liscell Cupidore, a neighbour who recounted the ordeal in a Facebook post, she was at home about 16:30h when her 10-year-old neighbour, drenched in blood and screaming, ran into her yard.
“He was shouting that they were killing him. My mom, thankfully trained in first aid, managed to control the bleeding from a gaping wound on his forehead. In a panic, I called the ambulance and the Police, but couldn’t get through to the Cove and John Station. Desperate, I reached out to the Enmore Police Station,” Cupidore stated in her post.
Cupidore described the Police response as “shockingly indifferent”. She explained, “A female constable answered, and I explained the situation. Her response was shockingly indifferent. She said she would try to contact Cove and John and give them my contact. I asked, ‘So if you don’t get on to them, then what?’ She claimed it wasn’t in her jurisdiction. The lack of urgency was maddening.”
Amid the chaos, Cupidore said she observed the boy’s mother walking calmly across the road with his youngest sibling, “showing no concern or remorse for her son who was drenched in blood and screaming as a result of her abuse”.
“I was furious and confronted her. She responded by cussing out the injured child and dragging him away from my mom, who had been trying to help him. For years, people in our area have been reporting this mother to the Child Protection Agency. She neglects and abuses her children, and yet, no one ever comes to help,” Cupidore explained.
Expressing her frustration, Cupidore questioned the effectiveness of the protective services for children.
“What is the point of these agencies if they won’t protect our children? And the Guyana Police Force, especially the Cove and John Police Station – what are they there for if they won’t respond in emergencies? I was too overwhelmed and angry to capture the actual event while it was happening, but here are some clips from after it occurred. This negligence is unacceptable. We cannot continue to let our children suffer while those meant to protect them do nothing.”
Police response
Meanwhile, the Police, in a statement on Friday, said on Thursday about 19:20h, acting on information, a party of Police ranks responded to a report of domestic violence at North Victoria, ECD. According to Police, a neighbour reported that about 16:30h, a 10-year-old boy ran into her yard screaming and shouting for help.
“She further stated that she observed blood flowing from a wound on his head and rendered first-aid treatment to control the bleeding. She then inquired from the lad how he received his injuries, and he stated that he was beaten with a belt (with buckle),” Police said in a statement.
The child was later handed over to Police and an examination of the exposed portion of his body revealed marks of violence, the Police said, adding that the minor was escorted to the CC Nicholas Hospital for treatment and later referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.
Police said that contact was made with the Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, and the minor was placed in its care.
Police said that checks were made at the home of the child for the named person who allegedly committed the act, but the person was not there.
Further checks will be made for the suspect. Inquiries in progress.
This incident contributes to the disturbing statistics of child abuse in Guyana, with recent reports indicating a significant rise in such cases.
Although a statistical report for this year has not yet been released, nearly 2000 cases of child abuse were reported in the first six months of 2023 alone. This follows a troubling trend from previous years, with over 3000 cases reported in 2020, including severe instances of sexual and physical abuse.
To combat this crisis, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry had introduced a new three-year plan focused on public awareness, community involvement, and enhanced support systems.
If you are aware of children who are ill-treated, malnourished, or neglected, please contact the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA). The CCPA Hotline (227-0979 or the toll-free number 914) is available 24 hours a day. (G9)
