Child Care and Protection Agency probing child’s living arrangements

…as Police searches for suspect

The Guyana Police Force is currently hunting a man who allegedly grabbed eight-year-old Anellie Hoyte and forced her into a dark coloured car as she was about to enter the Tuschen Primary School’s compound on Wednesday last. This is being done in conjunction with the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) as they investigate the living arrangements of the minor.

She was found in the care of her father’s great aunt at North East La Penitence, Georgetown on Monday. The minor has since been taken into State custody and according to the head of the CC&PA, Ann Greene, they have since launched an investigation to determine what transpired and the state of care afforded to the minor by her mother.
It was reported that a relative abused Hoyte a few years ago but when asked, Greene indicated that the Agency is yet to receive such information, noting that they have only now begun their investigation.
The child was abducted at about 09:00h on Wednesday last, reportedly as she was about to enter the school’s compound. She was grabbed from behind by a male and placed in a parked, dark coloured car, which then sped away.
Students milling outside of the school witnessed the incident and quickly reported what transpired to a teacher, who then made contact with the child’s mother and the incident was reported to the Leonora Police Station. According to the child, the male took her to the Vreed-en-Hoop junction in a dark coloured car and left her there. She then boarded a route 32 minibus, travelled to Georgetown and was seen by friends of relatives who took her to the North East La Penitence area.
Her mother, Alisha Marcus, related that her husband died just over two months ago, and his mother, who resides overseas, has since allegedly been attempting to take her daughter from her. In her attempts to so do, it is alleged that the child’s paternal grandmother made contact with the Welfare Office in Guyana, where she accused Marcus of being an unfit mother.
The worried mother of three explained that a group of welfare officers had carried out an investigation of the woman’s allegations and found them to be untrue.
However, the grandmother, Mrs Hoyte (only name given), vehemently denied playing a part in the abduction of the minor. She said the child was placed in her care a few years ago after it was discovered that a relative of her mother abused Anellie.
She said the issue was reported to the Police and the welfare officers granted her temporary care of the minor but alleges that the child was coerced into moving back with her mother.
Mrs Hoyte explained that she was informed that her granddaughter was found wandering the streets at around 20:00h last Wednesday and that was the reason she was taken to North East La Penitence.
Investigations are still ongoing as the child remains in State care.