The two children who died during a fire at the Hadfield Street Drop-in Centre earlier this month, were laid to
Persons at the funeral service of Antonio and Joshua George
rest at an emotional funeral service held at the New Covenant Ministries Church on Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge on Tuesday.
Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) Ann Greene, disclosed that the two brothers – Antonio George, 6; and his two-year-old brother Joshua George, along with three other siblings were taken into care at the Centre two days prior to their demise.
This was after an investigation into allegations that they were neglected and abused by their relatives.
She relayed that as per routine, the CC&PA took the children for medical attention the following day and it was confirmed that they were victims of neglect and maltreatment.
However, on the day that the children were supposed to be given to the care of relatives, the two young brothers perished in a fire which occurred at the Drop-in Centre.
It was reported that the younger brother was asleep in the dormitory when the fire started and as the elder brother was being taken out of the building by caregivers, he rushed back in to save his brother. However, he became trapped in the building.
Greene at a press briefing following the incident stated that the Social Protection Ministry would take full responsibility for the tragic incident and bear the full cost of the funeral for the young children.
President David Granger has since ordered an inquiry into the incident.
On Tuesday, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Keith Scott, and other Ministry officials were at the funeral to pay their respects.
