Adrianna Younge’s drowning: “I agree that there were missteps” by police, but no rushed judgments – PM Phillips

…says let the investigation speak

Two weeks after the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge at the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo had sparked outrage and concerns within the local and international communities, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has said that investigations are ongoing to determine the manner in which the 11-year-old had lost her life.
On Wednesday, April 23, 11-year-old Adrianna Younge had gone to the poolside of the Double Day Hotel with her grandmother, Carol Xavier, and other relatives when, at some time between 13:10h and 14:00h, she was discovered missing.
After a missing person’s report had been filed, the police released a statement indicating that the child was seen leaving the hotel’s premises in a motorcar. This information turned out to be inaccurate, adding another layer of controversy to the case. The child’s body was eventually discovered floating in the pool the following day, April 24. The hotel was then set ablaze, and was eventually destroyed.
A postmortem examination conducted on the child’s body by three international pathologists, including one selected by the family, revealed the girl’s cause of death as drowning. As police investigations continue, it is now left to determine the manner of death.
This is according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips during an appearance on the Reset Talk Show on Wednesday morning.
“So, the three pathologists did their work, and the conclusion is that she died by drowning or from drowning. However, as a Government, we’ve already committed, and I wish to tell you that the investigation is ongoing to determine the manner of death. Very important,” the Prime Minister said.

Errors by police
The Prime Minister also admitted that there were several errors made by the Guyana Police Force in managing the situation. Nevertheless, he assured that the ongoing investigation is intended to uncover everything regarding the unfortunate incident.
“Let me say up front (that) like you, I agree that there were missteps. They would have had searches, the police would have taken action, but I will not pronounce on that on this programme. What I want to assure you (is) that the ongoing investigation would get down to the bottom of everything that occurred, including the searches: what time they were done, what was seized, etc. So, we have to wait the outcome of the investigation. I don’t want to prejudice the investigation by offering my views as to whether a search was done or whether it was done properly or not,” PM Phillips has said.
The owner of the hotel has been released from police custody, but is barred from leaving the country and is required to report to the police station on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the employee responsible for providing the inaccurate information of the child leaving the hotel has been sent on leave. Additionally, two police officers have been relieved of their duties over their handling of the case.
The commander in charge of the division at the time, Assistant Police Commissioner Khalid Mandall, has also been sent on administrative leave as the investigation continues.